THE police yesterday launched a manhunt for five prisoners who escaped from the Metcalf Street Remand Centre in Kingston.

On the run are:

* Ian White, 36, of 22 Terrence Street, Kingston 12, who was awaiting trial for shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm;

* Devon Gayle, 36, of 10 White Street, Kingston 13, charged with housebreaking;

* Emelio Morris, 18, of 6 Ramsay Road, Kingston 13, awaiting trial on four counts of murder;

* Shawn Mantack, 19, of 7 Smith Lane, Kingston 11, charged with two counts of murder, shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm; and

* Anteneatto Powell, 21, of Hippolite Road, Kingston 2, who is charged with rape.

The Constabulary Communications Network (CCN) said that on Thursday the Denham Town police discovered an outbreak of Chicken Pox among 15 prisoners housed in the police lock-ups, and transferred the prisoners to the Metcalf Street Remand Centre so that the cell could be fumigated. Police said the 15 remandees were kept in a holding area at Metcalf Street.

However, according to the police, at about 9:40 yesterday morning when they returned for the men, a resident from the area reported that prisoners were seen escaping through the centre’s back fence.

It was subsequently discovered that six prisoners had escaped but one of the six — Dwayne Wright, 20, of 26 Tewari Crescent Kingston 13, charged with illegal possession of firearm — was recaptured while attempting to go through the fence. Police said he received injures and was treated at hospital.

The other nine prisoners were taken back to the Denham Town lock-ups.