A prisoner has escaped from Hu'atolitoli Prison, the Commissioner of Prisons Semisi Tapueluelu confirmed to Matangi Tonga today, although no further details were released. He did not confirm the identity of the escapee or the time of their escape.
Commissioner Tapueluelu said the Prison intended to release a report on this matter later today, after getting multiple calls from the media and the public.
News of the escape circulated on social media today, after a former government Minister, Sangster Saulala posted this morning to his Facebook account that he was informed by prison officers of an escaped prisoner around Lavengamalie. He also posted a photo of the alleged escapee, a man, which he claimed the prison officers gave to him.
The alleged escapee also posted a comment on Sangster's Facebook page, claiming that he escaped because he did not get on well with the other prisoners and he was scared of getting into a fight.
Meanwhile, neither the prison nor Tonga Police have confirmed whether or not the escapee poses a danger to the community.
Tonga Police told Matangi Tonga they were informed by the prison this morning of the escape, but could provide no further details.
Meanwhile, early this afternoon all Prison Officers who are not on Christmas Duty were recalled and told to report to Hu'atolitoli Prison immediately.
