Mr. Maduro — who is brown in complexion, about five-foot-ten and 190 pounds — was convicted in June 2005 for the brutal 2004 murder of his 13-year-old brother-in-law, and the wounding of his former wife and stepfather-in-law. Mr. Maduro allegedly broke into his former mother-in-law’s home, killed the boy, and then went upstairs to attack his then-wife before being overpowered by family members who were awakened by the boy’s screams.

The convict was sentenced to life in prison for the murder, 10 years for aggravated burglary, and seven years for each count of wounding. His subsequent 2008 appeal proved unsuccessful.

Kareem Durante — who is also brown in complexion and about five-foot-four and 140-pounds — was awaiting trial for the October 2008 armed robbery of The Spaghetti Junction, which was then located in Baughers Bay.

The most recent escapes are the third and fourth of their kind in recent years — all of which were made possible by cutting through the perimeter fence that separates the confined prison population from freedom.

In November 2006 Clifton Stoutt, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison on three counts of robbery dating to 2004, exited a prison wing through a hole cut in a wire grill before escaping the grounds through another hole in the perimeter fence.

The second similar case happened in October 2008 when Keenan Bethelmy, 25, who was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for the 2007 burglary of then-Chief Minister Dr. Orlando Smith, successfully escaped.

During his recreation period, Mr. Bethelmy slipped out a hole in the perimeter fence, officials said at the time, adding that he may have been aided by rain that sometimes clouded the view of prison security cameras.

In both instances, the men were apprehended shortly after their successful escapes.

No press conference was called, but the National Security Council, which includes the police commissioner, the premier and the governor, met on Tuesday to discuss the Saturday escapes.

“The NSC discussed the measures needed, short- and long-term, to make the prison more secure,” Governor David Pearey wrote in an e-mail. “Various actions were agreed in principle, many of which can hopefully be implemented immediately.”

Along with the core NSC members, Education Minister Andrew Fahie, whose ministerial portfolio includes prisons, and Acting HMP Superintendent Leslie McMaster, also attended the meeting.

However, attempts to contact Messrs. Fahie and McMaster were unsuccessful as of press time.

The full story appears in the May 14, 2009 issue.