Prisoner still on the run

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34097, 8 March 1976, Page 1

Prisoner still on the run

The police are stillseeking an American who filed through the bars of his cell and es-i caped from Paparua Prison early yesterday morning. His cellmate, who got out at the same time, was caught in the prison kitchen. Michael Dennis Short, aged 24. escaped from the central cell block about 2 a.m. by cutting through steel bars in a window. He was serving a sentence of two years and a half for i drug offences committed in the North Island, and is due to be deported on his release from prison. He was sentenced last year. Short’s cellmate had attempted to escape at the same time, but was caught by prison officers, said the deputy superintendent of Christchurch Prison (Mr M. Leimon). Short is sft 6in, of medium build, and has brown hair, brown eyes, and a fresh complexion. He is believed to have been wearing blue denim trousers and a blue, shirt. Short was not regarded as dangerous, a police spokesman said. There had been no reported sightings of him by I late last evening.