PRISONERS’ PLOT

Evening Star, Issue 19549, 6 May 1927, Page 8

PRISONERS’ PLOT

ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE i ingenious well-planned scheme by three of the most desperate long-sen-tenco prisoners to escape from Bathurst Gaol was frustrated by the vigilance of the gaol officials last Saturday evening (says the Sydney ‘ Morning Herald ’ of April 15). Despite efforts to maintain secrecy, details of the attempted escape are now' available. - It seems that the prisoners, occupying adjacent cells, had planned to secure possession of a key that would open one of the cell doors. The scheme was that one of the prisoners would then call a warder, and, while the latter was engaged in conversation, the prisoner with the key should open the door of the cell, overpower the warder, rob him of his keys, release a number of accomplices, escape through a hole in the roof prepared for the occasion, and then decamp in a motor car which _ would be .waiting for the prisoners outside. About a fortnight ago one of the Warders, inspecting one of the upstairs colls w'hen the prisoners w r ere at work, discovered, neatly hidden in a corner of the cell, a length of twisted wire about 3Sin long. He acquainted the governor of the gaol of his find, and ho was instructed to replace_ the wire and keep the cell under surveillance. The occupant of the cell had been _ employed within the gaol as an electrician, and had recently installed additional lights. In carrying out the work ho had occasion to cut a manhole through the ceiling at one spot, and it is believed that this probably was regarded bv him as likely to facilitate escape. The guard was doubled, and the development of plans was watched inetntly. At 8 p.m. on Saturday a prisoner in this wing knocked and called for the warder, who, icsponding, full armed, noticed that 'in the door of the suspected cell a key had been ingeniously inserted by means of a wire, and that violent efforts were being made by the occupant to open it. Sufficient leverage could not be obtained with the wire to turn the key, which was removed by the official

A nosse of armed police was secreted outside the gaol to await the arrival of exceeded accomplices, for it seems that a long-sentence man, having served his time, had been released a few days previously. and it was believed that he would make arrangements for the rescue ’of his friends. Exactly on time the watchers were rewarded by observing the headlights of a motor car flashing signals from a point on the Blayney road, about a quarter of a mile from the gaol. Unaware of the frustration of their plans, the accomplices approached the gaol with ail lights extinguished. Nearing the institution, and in the absence of return signals from the gaol, the motorist accelerated speed and raced past the gates of the institution without stopping. Efforts to stop the car proved futile, though several shots were fired. The car carried no number plate. It has sineo_ been discovered that a supply of civilian clothes had been stolen from the tailor’s shop in the gaol and planted at a convenient spot. Mr Steele (Comptroller-General of Prisons) hurried'to Bathurst and held an inquiry into the matter. As a result the three prisoners were punished, and transferred to Parramatta Gaol, where discipline is more severe. A policeman on nif ntor cycle pursued the car along the Orange road, but it easily outdistanced the pursuing cycle! The police are following clues, and anticipate an arrest.

The governor of the.gaol (Mr Smith) declined to give details. Ho said that a report must come from the department in Sydnev. It was the first time in his knowledge that such a happenin'; had occurred in Bathurst Gaol, There waa never at any time any danger, as Ids staff had been- in possession of full details of the plans for some time,