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| Escaped Prisoners Pose Security Threat |
| By cbsnews.com |
| Published: 01/20/2010 |
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(CBS) Once again in Port Au Prince today, looting and lawlessness spread like a virus. CBS News national correspondent Byron Pitts reports, for most of the people, the options are few: either steal or go hungry. The spoils of their efforts this time: rancid meat from a warehouse. Those stealing food and water - or toothpaste to smear beneath their noses to mask the stench of rotting human flesh - are the least to worry the authorities. Of greater concern? The hardened criminals who roam the streets after the largest prison break in Haiti's history. When the earthquake hit last Tuesday more than 3,000 inmates escaped from the National Prison of Haiti, in Port-Au-Prince. Reports are they took prison uniforms, prison vehicles, guns and ammunition. They killed at least four guards. CBS News obtained exclusive pictures of the inmates who set the prison on fire and ran to freedom. Only a handful of the prisoners have been recaptured. "These inmates pose a real that for the people of Port-Au-Prince," Pitts asked. "Yes, yes. That's a fact," said Jean Joseph Cande of the U.N. "Just roaming around with guns?" "Yes, they are very dangerous." Whether it's the U.N. or relief agencies from around the world - few if any -humanitarian groups now travel around without armed security. Experts say the gang members who escaped Haiti's prison pose a special danger. "We're talking about people who kidnapped children - who mutilated captives," said Robert Perito, Director of the Haiti Program at the United States Institute of Peace. "These are very dangerous people." Read More. |
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