INCIDENT IN A GAOL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1933, Page 6

INCIDENT IN A GAOL

PRISONER WHO WAS SHOWN OUT. . MISTAKEN FOR VISITOR. > . " --V. ■ ' t . - John Ryan, .a< 22-yeay-olri. prisoner, >. made a remarkable escape from Brixtop. prison, England. He.was remanded in custody only the previous day on ,a charge of stealing £3O. Like all ; prisoners on remand, he was entitled to certain, privileges and two visitors who called = at the prison were allowed to see him. Very few of the people detained ’af Brixton prison are in prison clothes. Those who are so garbed are invariably men who are completing sentences most of which was served at another prison. Brixton prison is ■ mainly used for prisoners on remand. There is a long hall in the prison where prisoners are allowed to speak to their friends. In it are about 20 cubicles, with a glass "front' to each, and when men are in cubid.es speaking ;to friends in front there Vis always a. warder patrolling behind them. During visiting hours all these cubides were occupied by prisoners, and it was when the visitors had gone that Ryan’s disappearance was discovered. . An examination of the cubides was made and it was found that a glass panel had- been broken. The breaking of this glass would enable a prisoner to place his hand on a knob on the front of the door, turn it, and join the visitors in front of the box. It is believed that Ryan broke the glass and then joined the visitors on their way out. When the time allowed for prisoners to speak to visitors has elapsed warders announce the fact and conduct the visitors to the gateway. There is no doubt that Ryan had mixed with the visitors, and that, coolly wallring towards the gates, was ushered out into the avenue which leads to Brixton, Hill. • : The escape, it is believed, was carefully planned. It is assumed that Ryan obtained the aid of visitors in front of the cubicle, to catch the falling glass as it was broken. ■ . . . ~ ’ The fact that no sound of. falling glass was heard leads to the opinion that a handkerchief or some other article was held out to prevent the glass from falling on the floor.