Five Inmates Escape in Canada, Public Notification Delayed

Five inmates, considered violent, escaped from a Saskatchewan prison, but the public notification was delayed by at least 15 hours.

Six prisoners broke out of the Regina Correctional Centre on Sunday night. One was caught shortly after the other five are still on the loose. The Saskatchewan's minister of public safety has ordered an investigation to determine why 15 hours passed before authorities alerted the public about a prison break by six inmates. The escapees are described as dangerous and possibly armed and a Canada wide warrant has been issued. The escapees couldbe anywhere as the prison is located near the Trans-Canada Highway. "We've got a pretty big country. They could be just about anywhere," said RCMP Sgt. Doug Coleman. The five escapees are Ryan John Agecoutay, 25, Preston Clarence Buffalocalf, 22, Cody Dillon Keenatch, 19, James Joseph Pewean, 25, and Daniel Richard Wolfe, 32. Apparently, the men escaped by pulling a vent off a wall, crawling into it and then kicking their way through an exterior brick wall. The brick wall did not have any reinforced concrete or rebar. Of the five escapees, one is charged with two counts of murder and three face attempted murder charges in connection to shootings during a violent home invasion last year. Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister Darryl Hickie found out about the escape earlier than the public, about 7 a.m. CT. The public was not alerted for another six hours. "I believe that in this case, it sure would seem to me that the most critical thing to do would have been to inform the public at first time [in the morning] to ensure that people were aware of this," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister Darryl Hickie said. Police say it took time to gather information, co-ordinate a police response and ensure they were making the right names public. "We have to always ensure people's rights are protected. So, that we do want to make sure we have the right people missing," said Coleman. The officials may have many urgent tasks following an escape, but public safety should be a priority.