Three months ago, in October 2020, the largest prisoner break at the Belize Central Prison took place where as many as 28 prisoners escaped. Since then, law enforcement officers have been working to recapture the prisoners and all but three were captured until recently. The latest to have been recaptured was 23-year-old Jaroud Lamb, who was found in his home village of Ontario in Cayo on Saturday, January 9, 2021. This came after several attempts to catch him when police received information that he was allegedly spotted in the village.
Regardless of how long it took to get Lamb back into custody, he was finally captured, arrested, and charged for escaping from prison. He appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford in court and wasted no time to plead guilty. The convicted murderer, who was serving a 30-year sentence, explained to the court that he decided to escape because of the confirmation that prison officers had tested positive for COVID-19. He explained that he was fearful for his life and safety and that it would not be a matter of time before he caught the disease himself. He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with effect from the conclusion of his 30-year sentence.
With Lamb back in custody, two prisoners remain on the run: Michael Faux and Erwin Lanza. Faux was sentenced to life for murder while Lanza was sentenced to two years for possession on a controlled drug with intent to supply.
