Five inmates, including a Briton, an Argentinian, and a Georgian, escaped from the high-security Vale de Judeus prison in Portugal on September 7, 2024. The escape, which involved scaling a wall with the help of a ladder, has raised serious concerns about the security measures in place at the facility.
The Escape Plan
The escape occurred at around 10 a.m. when the inmates took advantage of a moment when guards were preoccupied with monitoring prison visits. With external help, they managed to scale a 6-meter-high wall using a ladder. Outside the prison, two cars and three accomplices were waiting to aid their getaway.
The Escapees
The five escapees have been identified as:
- Fábio Fernandes Santos Loureiro (33): Sentenced to 25 years for crimes including drug trafficking, criminal association, and money laundering.
- Fernando Ribeiro Ferreira (61): Serving 25 years for drug trafficking, theft, and kidnapping.
- Rodolf José Lohrmann (59): Serving 18 years and 10 months for criminal association, theft, and robbery. He is also suspected of murders in Argentina.
- Shergili Farjiani (40): Sentenced to seven years for theft and forgery of documents.
- Mark Cameron Roscaleer (39): Serving nine years for kidnapping and robbery.
Security Concerns
The escape has highlighted significant security lapses at the Vale de Judeus prison. The facility, which has a capacity of 560 inmates, lacked surveillance towers that could have provided a view of the courtyard. These towers were deactivated and demolished several years ago, a decision now being scrutinized.
Frederico Morais, President of the Prison Guard Union, criticized the lack of investment in security measures, stating, “What failed here is the Portuguese state, due to the lack of guards and investment. Security is at stake.”
Authorities have released images of the escapees and warned the public not to approach them, as they are considered dangerous. The judicial police have intensified their search efforts, including scrutinizing visitation records and telephone calls. International cooperation has also been expedited to aid in the recapture of the fugitives.
