Corrections minister Anoulack Chanthivong slammed for David Johnson Nowra prison escape response
The state government’s response as to how a jailbird with a history of escaping custody managed to flee the big house yet again and evade capture for a staggering 10 days, has been slammed as “manifestly inadequate”.
The South Coast News
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The state government’s response as to how a jailbird with a history of escaping custody managed to flee the big house yet again and evade capture for a staggering 10 days, has been slammed as “manifestly inadequate”.
Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong has shot down numerous questions asking for an explanation as to how David Johnson, 44, managed to escape South Coast Correctional Centre in South Nowra on January 29 this year.
Mr Chanthivong said answering such questions, which also asked why Johnson was placed in minimum security despite his escape history, would be “inappropriate”.
However, he said the circumstances surrounding the escape were being investigated.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward put the questions to the government some weeks ago and slammed the response as “woeful”.
“Mr Chanthivong is ducking and weaving on serious questions of community safety,” Mr Ward said.
The comments come after Johnson was sentenced to an additional stay behind bars in Nowra Local Court earlier this month.
The sentence arose after he led correction services and police on a 10 day manhunt across the Nowra region and into Canberra, where he was recaptured on February 7.
Court documents state Johnson stole a tradie’s work ute after escaping the prison, fleeing the town and staying on the run for more than one week.
He was charged with and pleaded guilty to inmate escape lawful custody, vehicle theft, and larceny.
His antics to evade detention for “such a long period” were condemned by Magistrate Lisa Viney as “extremely serious” during his sentencing.
Mr Ward said the inmate with a history of escaping custody should have “never” been in minimum security.
“It’s beyond me,” he said.
Mr Ward said he hoped the minister would eventually give the community some insight into how such an “avoidable” situation occurred.
“The minister needs to stop escaping answering questions,” he said.
Investigations into how Johnson – who is now being held at Bathurst Correctional Centre – escaped are ongoing.
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