Bahamas News
03-04-05, - 02:28 PM
Police Hunt For Escaped Prisoner
Bianca Symonette
The Bahama Journal
Barry Parcoi
Police were yesterday hunting for a prisoner who managed to escape from Her Majesty’s Prison sometime Wednesday night.
Prison Superintendent Dr. Elliston Rahming told reporters at a press conference at the prison that authorities believe they know how Barry Parcoi, who was serving a life sentence for rape and forcible detention, escaped.
“This is just a theory, but the prisoner may have gained access from inside this bathroom stall,” Dr. Rahming said, while giving the media a tour of where authorities believe the prisoner escaped from.
He pointed to one of the two-bathroom stalls that were recently reinforced with cement to prevent future escapes.
“Not many would have thought to search behind the toilet for a weak area, but obviously this prisoner had thought about it,” Dr. Rahming said. “The building is old and there are some areas that need some reinforcement.”
The escape has resulted in renewed calls for heightened security at the prison.
As a result of Parcoi’s escape, Dr. Rahming said that the police canine unit has been re-deployed to assist in recapturing the escaped prisoner.
“In the absence of sure and certain facts as to how the escape was pulled off with success, I have asked the police to conduct a thorough investigation of the inmates in that section of the medium security housing unit as well as the six officers who were on duty within the confines of medium security at the time,” Dr. Rahming said.
“We are now in search of the most cutting edge methodology for further fortifying the perimeter boundaries of the institution and for the first time, there is now in place an Internal Affairs Unit to target suspicious activities and other matters that may compromise security.”
He said authorities will make every effort to try to recapture Parcoi.
“In the words of John F. Kennedy, let the word go forth to friend and foe alike, inmate or officer, that we will make any sacrifice, exert every effort, remove every impediment, reward any whistleblower and apply the fullest measure of the law to any wrongdoer, whomsoever he shall be,” Dr. Rahming said.
Dr. Rahming, who was appointed superintendent several weeks ago, said he intends to protect the public against escapees and while the prison does not have a perfect record, the recent escape is nothing to be ashamed of.
“The fact is that close to 1,500 men and women slept here last night. One escaped and that one is too many. I am not satisfied with the explanations that I have been given. And yes, while it is true that there is no such thing as an escape-proof prison that must be our aim,” Dr. Rahming assured.
The 43-year-old escaped prisoner is no stranger to the justice system and had been convicted previously for escaping and attempting to escape from the prison.
At the time of his most recent escape Parcoi had already served 19 years on his life sentence.
Parcoi’s rap sheet included a conviction in 1991 for escaping from lawful custody and he was sentenced to an additional two years in prison.
In 1993, he was sentenced to an additional six months in prison for attempting to escape.
But he had been in and out of prison long before that.
The escapee was sent to prison on a remand warrant in 1986 and charged for possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
In May 1986, he was convicted and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. In 1987, Parcoi was further sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on four counts of armed robbery.
In 1993, he was sentenced to 20 years for armed robbery; in early 1994 he received a two-year sentence for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition; and in May, 1994, Parcoi was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
Parcoi is the fifth prisoner to escape so far for 2005. Two of them escaped on Monday from a prison bus parked outside the Nassau Street Police Station. One was recaptured, but Ian Miller up to yesterday was still at large.
The other two escaped from the prison – one on January 31 and one on February 16.
Dr. Rahming noted that over the past six and a half years, a total of 37 escapes took place. Nineteen of them were from Her Majesty’s Prison, 10 escaped from police custody, six from the extramural day release work scheme and three from the Princess Margaret Hospital.
“I should point out that of these 37 escapes over the past six and a half years, 32 of the escapees were returned to the safe custody of Her Majesty’s Prison, many of whom were recaptured within hours by search parties from the prison,” he noted.
“And so the recapture rate by the prison in cooperation with the Royal Bahamas Police Force for those few who made good their escape is enviable.”
The latest escapee had served 17 years in maximum security, but was switched to medium security two years ago so that he would be able to enjoy some of the amenities of the medium security unit, according to Dr. Rahming.
Parcoi is of a dark brown complexion with black hair and black eyes, according to authorities, who added that he weighs 180 pounds and stands five feet, eleven inches tall.
He is considered armed and extremely dangerous.
His last known address is listed as Balls Alley, off Shirley Street.
The medium security unit at the prison currently houses 285 inmates.
Bianca Symonette
The Bahama Journal
Barry Parcoi
Police were yesterday hunting for a prisoner who managed to escape from Her Majesty’s Prison sometime Wednesday night.
Prison Superintendent Dr. Elliston Rahming told reporters at a press conference at the prison that authorities believe they know how Barry Parcoi, who was serving a life sentence for rape and forcible detention, escaped.
“This is just a theory, but the prisoner may have gained access from inside this bathroom stall,” Dr. Rahming said, while giving the media a tour of where authorities believe the prisoner escaped from.
He pointed to one of the two-bathroom stalls that were recently reinforced with cement to prevent future escapes.
“Not many would have thought to search behind the toilet for a weak area, but obviously this prisoner had thought about it,” Dr. Rahming said. “The building is old and there are some areas that need some reinforcement.”
The escape has resulted in renewed calls for heightened security at the prison.
As a result of Parcoi’s escape, Dr. Rahming said that the police canine unit has been re-deployed to assist in recapturing the escaped prisoner.
“In the absence of sure and certain facts as to how the escape was pulled off with success, I have asked the police to conduct a thorough investigation of the inmates in that section of the medium security housing unit as well as the six officers who were on duty within the confines of medium security at the time,” Dr. Rahming said.
“We are now in search of the most cutting edge methodology for further fortifying the perimeter boundaries of the institution and for the first time, there is now in place an Internal Affairs Unit to target suspicious activities and other matters that may compromise security.”
He said authorities will make every effort to try to recapture Parcoi.
“In the words of John F. Kennedy, let the word go forth to friend and foe alike, inmate or officer, that we will make any sacrifice, exert every effort, remove every impediment, reward any whistleblower and apply the fullest measure of the law to any wrongdoer, whomsoever he shall be,” Dr. Rahming said.
Dr. Rahming, who was appointed superintendent several weeks ago, said he intends to protect the public against escapees and while the prison does not have a perfect record, the recent escape is nothing to be ashamed of.
“The fact is that close to 1,500 men and women slept here last night. One escaped and that one is too many. I am not satisfied with the explanations that I have been given. And yes, while it is true that there is no such thing as an escape-proof prison that must be our aim,” Dr. Rahming assured.
The 43-year-old escaped prisoner is no stranger to the justice system and had been convicted previously for escaping and attempting to escape from the prison.
At the time of his most recent escape Parcoi had already served 19 years on his life sentence.
Parcoi’s rap sheet included a conviction in 1991 for escaping from lawful custody and he was sentenced to an additional two years in prison.
In 1993, he was sentenced to an additional six months in prison for attempting to escape.
But he had been in and out of prison long before that.
The escapee was sent to prison on a remand warrant in 1986 and charged for possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
In May 1986, he was convicted and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. In 1987, Parcoi was further sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on four counts of armed robbery.
In 1993, he was sentenced to 20 years for armed robbery; in early 1994 he received a two-year sentence for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition; and in May, 1994, Parcoi was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
Parcoi is the fifth prisoner to escape so far for 2005. Two of them escaped on Monday from a prison bus parked outside the Nassau Street Police Station. One was recaptured, but Ian Miller up to yesterday was still at large.
The other two escaped from the prison – one on January 31 and one on February 16.
Dr. Rahming noted that over the past six and a half years, a total of 37 escapes took place. Nineteen of them were from Her Majesty’s Prison, 10 escaped from police custody, six from the extramural day release work scheme and three from the Princess Margaret Hospital.
“I should point out that of these 37 escapes over the past six and a half years, 32 of the escapees were returned to the safe custody of Her Majesty’s Prison, many of whom were recaptured within hours by search parties from the prison,” he noted.
“And so the recapture rate by the prison in cooperation with the Royal Bahamas Police Force for those few who made good their escape is enviable.”
The latest escapee had served 17 years in maximum security, but was switched to medium security two years ago so that he would be able to enjoy some of the amenities of the medium security unit, according to Dr. Rahming.
Parcoi is of a dark brown complexion with black hair and black eyes, according to authorities, who added that he weighs 180 pounds and stands five feet, eleven inches tall.
He is considered armed and extremely dangerous.
His last known address is listed as Balls Alley, off Shirley Street.
The medium security unit at the prison currently houses 285 inmates.