The story of David Lothien's escape from a prison van last month has dragged on for longer than many of us expected.
Lothien was being transported to Hawke's Bay Regional Prison when he broke out of a prison van at the Dannevirke BP service station on April 17. He wason the run for four days before he was apprehended at a children's rugby game at Park Island. He was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to escaping lawful custody at Napier District Court.
An escape always sparks interest with the general public. Whether that's because someone potentially dangerous is on the loose or because of the often daring circumstances involved, I don't know. But what started as a seemingly run-of-the-mill "wanted" case has developed into something much more complex, raising serious questions about prison van security protocols.
The story took a twist when, remarkably, Lothien wrote a five-page letter to Hawke's Bay Today detailing how he escaped and his motives for it. And Taradale man Peter O'Sullivan, who permanently lost sight in his left eye after he was assaulted by Lothien earlier this year, agreed with his attacker's written claims there were flaws in the Department of Corrections' security protocols.
The allegations outlined in Lothien's letter claiming Corrections made it "easy" for him to escape include that he was not handcuffed because of a cast on his arm and the back door of the prison van was not locked.
Corrections Services acting national commissioner Jeanette Burns has said the vans used to transport prisoners are safe and the public could be assured the issues highlighted in the escape had been remedied. It must be made clear the claims so far remain unsubstantiated. But what cannot be denied is the fact a prisoner escaped and remained at large within our community. The letter made some damning allegations and, whether Lothien realises it or not, he has raised questions of utmost importance to the safety of our community.
I eagerly await the outcome of Corrections' review.
