High-profile inmate Royden Williams escapes from Mazaruni Prison

– gunman with AK-47 assault rifle aid in escape
– Spanish-speaking female, prison officers being questioned

Mark Royden Durant also called ‘Royden Williams’ and ‘Smallie’ – a notorious mass murderer who was convicted for the 2008 Bartica Massacre escaped from the Mazaruni Penitentiary on Friday.
Williams has been convicted of murders stemming from the Bartica massacre in 2008, when he, along with other gunmen, ambushed and killed 12 persons, including three policemen.

Additionally, he had been sentenced to death in September last year over the killing on January 23, 2008, of Guyana Defence Force member Corporal Ivor Williams.
Based on reports received, Williams was escorted to the visiting area where for the first time, a Spanish-Speaking female came to drop off toiletries for him. The visiting area, Guyana Times understands is quite some distance from the holding cells and as such, the prisoners would normally be escorted on All-Terraine Vehicles (ATV).
However, the day in question was no different. Williams was escorted to the area where he met the female and the two had a “smoke” and talked for a while.
He was reportedly handed the bag containing the toiletries and as he was heading back to the holding cells, the ATV came under fire. One of the prison officers claimed that he observed a man carrying a high-powered rifle and suddenly opened fire.
This publication further understands that prison officers returned fire but it was during the chaos, Williams who was still shackled ran towards the Mazaruni River and jumped overboard. The alleged gunman followed suit.
They both were collected by a boat that sped off the scene. Miraculously, no prison officer sustained any injuries during the harrowing ordeal. The Spanish-speaking woman along with the two prison officers who were escorting Williams are being interrogated.
“Prisoner Williams is considered to be armed and dangerous. The public is urged to report any sightings of this individual to the nearest police station or any prison location to aid in his recapture and the apprehension of his accomplices,” A release from the Guyana Prison Service stated.
The Home Affairs Ministry confirmed that Durant Williams, and “Smallie’ escaped while being escorted back from the visiting area at about 14:30h.
“The escort party was fired upon with AK-47 automatic rifles from the boat alongside the Mazaruni River during the transfer and during the resulting reported exchange of gunfire; Williams made good his escape. The boat and its occupants proceeded upstream, past Itaballi landing, while Prison guards and Police in support undertook pursuit,’ the release added.
The ministry stated that members of the Joint Services have been mobilized to effect the recapture of Williams and to capture and or arrest his accomplices.
Following the escape, Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Geeta Chandan-Edmond expressed grave concerns regarding Williams’ escape and the potential risks it poses to the peace and security that Guyanese cherish.
“The escapee is considered to be in the category of one of Guyana’s most dangerous convicted mass murderers. Therefore, the little peace and security that the Guyanese enjoy are now at risk. Given our history, this is not a situation to be taken lightly…. Guyanese do not want to relive that intensity and fear”, she said.
As such, she called for the Home Affairs Ministry to provide updates on the efforts being made to capture the criminal and more so address the breach at the penitentiary.
“I call on the Government, specifically, the Ministry of Home Affairs, to spare no effort in ensuring that the escapee is recaptured forthwith. I call on our citizenry to be vigilant and alert and to do their part as law-abiding citizens and communicate any pertinent and relevant information to the Guyana Police Force”.
“The Government of Guyana must additionally spare no effort in ensuring urgent and complete reform of the Prison systems and all stakeholders must be engaged as this is a national issue which demands full participation”, the statement read.
Royden Williams had previously escaped from the Camp Street Prison on July 9, 2017 but was recaptured on October 10 the same year on the Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice.
Meanwhile, the Joint Services and other Security personnel are on high alert. “The citizens in the Mazaruni and surrounding areas are hereby advised to take precautions and remain vigilant as the persons sought are armed and are considered as being extremely dangerous,” the Police stated.
It should be noted that aiding and abetting a prison escapee can result in three or more years of imprisonment when or if convicted.