39 escape from Wamena prison

WAMENA, Irian Jaya: A total of 39 prisoners escaped from the Wamena Penitentiary on Sept. 30, the head of the prison told Antara on Wednesday.

"They escaped after breaking through the jail's gate and attacking prison workers," Wahyu Hidayat said.

The incident in September was the second jailbreak in four months after 51 prisoners escaped from the jail using a similar strategy in July.

Wahyu said wardens found it hard to safeguard the jail and they had requested assistance from local security authorities.

Six of the 39 prisoners were recaptured later by the police when they were found stealing in Wamena. (edt)