An escaped prisoner Vaha Afemeimo’unga, was arrested at about 7:00 am today, 29 December, by His Majesty’s Prisons officers, at Hihifo Road, Fatai, Tongatapu, after being on the run for three days.

He escaped from Hu'atolitoli Prison on Tuesday 26 December.

HM Prisons in a public notice today, stated that they believed the prisoner was aided and investigations were being held to confirm the details of his escape.

News of the escape was leaked to the public through a Facebook page on Thursday.

However, prison officials defended their decision not to alert the public. The notice stated that the public are not usually informed of escaped prisoners, “for both the public and prisoner’s safety.”

"An announcement can create public panic."

HM Prisons also pointed out that there are other criminals free in the community

“Only the criminal offenders who have been sentenced by a court of law are in prison, which does not mean there are no criminal perpetrators left in the public community.

“The motivated perpetrators remaining in the community can take advantage in the announcement of an escapee to commit crimes intending that it will be blamed on the escaped prisoner,” HM Prisons stated.

“We do not need perpetrators to monitor our movements. Offenders who are involved in the illicit drugs trade do not work alone, it is a criminal network that transcends borders due to modern technology.”

The Prison also asserted that there had been cases where the prisoner committed suicide when they felt pressured on the run.