Yesterday’s jailbreak in Portugal was a drastic escape but also a wake-up call for Portugal’s security. Five dangerous prisoners broke out of Vale de Judeus prison near Lisbon. It was a real, shocking event that is now being called one of the biggest blows to Portugal’s image in recent memory.
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Yesterday’s Jailbreak: How Did That Happen
Around 9 a.m., five prisoners broke out from the prison. They belong to Portuguese, Argentine, Georgian, and British nationals. They didn’t just slip out the back door and tried to climb a six-meter wall using a ladder that had been carefully hidden outside the prison.
There were three men and a small black Mercedes that was waiting for them on the other side to take them away. The whole operation was caught on camera, but they hid the ladder in such a way that they were barely noticeable.
One of the prison’s guards has told the media:
They went out of the cells into the courtyard and then, with a ladder that was hidden outside, they climbed over the six-metre-high wall and escaped
One of those involved in the search told the media:
Three flights of aluminum ladders were used, camouflaged in the wall (…) you can’t even see them in the video surveillance images
These are not just prisoners. One of the prisoners has even shot at a police officer before. These prisoners were involved in serious crimes like drug dealing, kidnapping, and murder. There was a well thought out plan behind their escape. It raises serious questions about the lack of security measures at the prison.
A Major Security Fail
Everyone in the security department of Portugal is figuring out how did this happen. According to reports, the guards were not watching these prisoners closely. The prison guards did not even notice that they were missing until lunchtime which is hours after their escape. That’s a huge lapse in the security of the prison as prisoners.
Vale de Judeus prison has over 500 prisoners, but the number of guards is very low.
According to the media,
There are half a dozen of us to take care of an entire prison.
With only a few number of guards to monitor these 500 prisoners, it is certain that something like this could happen. This is not just about one prison, it is a big hole within Portugal’s prison system.
Damage To Portugal’s Reputation
The fallout from this escape has been immediate and intense. Portuguese journalist Eduardo Dâmaso did not hold back, calling it a “terrifying lack of collective security”.
He said,
This leaves the image of rudimentary prison system, with scant technology, out-of-date installations and reinforced security perimetres without guards. The guards cannot be blamed here. Who is to blame are governments and (political) parties that have neglected prisons for decades.
Also, he exposes how much Portugal’s prison system is outdated and vulnerable. He said that this isn’t just about the prisoners who escaped, it’s about a system that is not prepared to keep people safe.
This escape has not just exposed the security flaw but also damaged Portugal’s reputation across Europe.
Progress In Prisoners Manhunt
Right now, authorities are scrambling to find those prisoners who escaped. The General Directorate of Prison Services has launched an investigation, but there is already doubt because reports suggest that the escape was not even discovered until hours after it happened.
Correio da Manhã reported that the black Mercedes, which was seen on Vale de Judeus’ security cameras early Saturday morning was spotted again yesterday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. near Fábio Loureiro’s home in Lagoa. So far, there is no word on whether any of them have been caught.
Director General of Portugal’s prison services, Rui Abrunhosa Gonçalves stressed that the escape was not due to a lack of prison guards during a press conference this morning He assured everyone that there were enough guards on duty for the number of prisoners at the time.
The incident has shaken the country’s sense of security. As the search for the prisoners continues, Portugal faces security crisis and the challenge of rebuilding trust in its ability to keep people safe.
