Seven escape prison, one found dead

SURABAYA: Seven inmates escaped a Surabaya prison on Thursday by digging a tunnel out of their cell. One of them was found death on Friday, or a day after they broke out, while six others are still on the run.

The remains of the ill-fated inmate, Yudi Santoso, was found floating on Porong River in the city.

Stunned by the inmates escape, police personnel and prison employees had been tracking them down since Friday. The six inmates were serving prison terms for various crimes, ranging from murder to vehicle theft.

Prison warden Giri Purbadi said the escape had surprised the prison guards as the seven inmates had not shown any suspicious behavior. The seven reportedly dug a tunnel nine meters long from their cell, providing them access to the outside world. They left the prison at around 12 midnight on Thursday.

Overcrowded prison cells and the low salary of prison guards are often blamed for the frequent escapes of inmates. -- JP