Security bungle sees violent prisoner walk free from jail
A major security breach has seen a violent prisoner walk free from jail, with the inmate only put back behind bars after handing himself in.
VIC News
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A violent prisoner has been accidentally released from prison in a major security breach.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the inmate, facing charges for serious violent offences, was set free on Tuesday by prison officers who thought he was due for release.
Once on the outside, the man boasted to family and friends about his miraculous get out of jail free card, revealing prison staff had joked with him asking if he’d like to leave in a plane, train, or automobile.
An investigation was last night underway into the shocking blunder, which has been blamed on human error.
The man is facing charges including intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing and unlawful assault over an incident in which his alleged victim was left with serious facial injuries.
It is understood he has a long rap sheet and has previously been jailed for theft, robbery, threat to kill and assaulting police.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands the prisoner initially tried to tell prison officers at Fulham Correctional Centre in Victoria’s east they must have made a mistake when they told him he was free to leave prison.
But prison staff insisted they had the right man when, had him fill out paperwork and let him loose.
Sources familiar with the case said the man remained at large until he was encouraged to hand himself into authorities on Friday.
He had been refused bail while awaiting his next court date next month.
The man was being held on remand at the Fulham Correctional Centre medium security prison near Sale.
A Corrections Victoria spokesman said the department would review the circumstances of the incident and take any appropriate actions.
They have blamed the bungle on human error.
A warrant for the man’s arrest had been issued after Corrections Victoria became aware of the error.
A department spokesman said Corrections Victoria had not experienced an impact on staffing levels due to coronavirus.
Corrections minister Ben Carroll said the incident was “completely unacceptable”.
Shadow Corrections minister David Southwick said the incident was evidence of a wider problem.
“It’s clear Victoria’s correctional system is in chaos when a violent offender facing trial is allowed to walk free from prison no questions asked,” he said.
“Daniel Andrews must come clean and explain why victims and the community were kept in the dark for days after a violent offender was mistakenly released.
“With regular violence, drugs and now inmates allowed to walk free – it’s little wonder why under Labor, Victoria is running the most expensive, yet worst performing prisons in the nation.”
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