Escape from La Joyita: 195 inmates fled, 126 recaptured and 69 still remain fugitives

A mass escape from Panama's La Joyita prison has resulted in 195 inmates fleeing, with authorities having recaptured 126 and 69 still considered fugitives. The incident occurred on Monday, June 1st, following a riot that erupted during an inmate reclassification operation.

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Minister Dinoska Montalvo confirmed that 195 inmates escaped from La Joyita prison on Monday.

The situation at the La Joyita Penitentiary Center quickly escalated into chaos, marked by explosions, unrest within the pavilions, and a significant number of casualties. Reports indicate at least three inmates died and three police officers were injured during the riot and subsequent escape. This event has reignited the debate surrounding prison security in Panama.

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Of which 126 have been recaptured and 69 are fugitives.

Jaime Fernández, the Director of the National Police, confirmed that the 69 fugitives have been identified. He announced plans to publish their information on social media to aid public identification and urged the escapees to surrender promptly. Fernández assured the public that the police would be as effective in capturing the remaining fugitives as they were in recapturing the initial 126.

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We urge these individuals to surrender quickly to the authorities, because, regardless of whether they do or not, other legal circumstances will fall upon them.

Minister of Government Dinoska Montalvo provided details on the prison's structure, noting that La Joyita has 16 pavilions. The ongoing efforts to recapture the remaining inmates underscore the challenges faced by the Panamanian authorities in maintaining control over the correctional facilities.

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The National Police, just as it was effective in the capture of 126 people, will also be effective in the capture of the remaining 69 and will obtain the required result so that the State is not challenged again.