SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — The Westmoreland police have launched a massive manhunt for eight of the nine prisoners who escaped from the Savanna-la-Mar lock-up early yesterday morning.

Reports are that about 12:45 am, a police office on duty went to inspect a cell when he saw men running towards a perimeter fence on the premises.

He held onto one of the men and made an alarm. A subsequent search of the cell revealed that the prisoners squeezed through a ventilator hole, which they had enlarged.

A further search of the cell turned up a hacksaw blade, a large hammer, and two pieces of metal that were used to cover the ventilator hole.

Meanwhile, the prisoner who was recaptured has been identified as 26-year-old Oshane Blair also called Pastor, a labourer of Blenheim, Hanover. He is facing charges of murder and wounding.

Meanwhile, still on the run up to press time last night are:

* 20-year old labourer Ricardo Kerr, also called Jaw Bone of Water Works, Westmoreland. He is charged with robbery with aggravation and shooting with intent.

* Romaine Esson, 21, unemployed of Dallin Street, Savanna- la- Mar, Westmoreland. He is facing charges of murder and shooting with intent.

* Odaine Brown, also called Fee Fee, a 23-year-old labourer of West End, Negril, Westmoreland. He is charged with shooting with intent.

* 27-year-old Carlington Godfrey, alias Tommy, unemployed of Top Hill Grange Hill, Westmoreland.

* Alton Maxwell, 26, also called Putty Wet, a labourer of 9 Manley Avenue in Naggo Head, St Catherine. He is charged with murder, illegal possession of firearm and escaping custody at Greater Portmore Police Station. He pleaded guilty to both charges when he was last in court on June 17. He was to return for sentencing next Friday.

* 33-year-old Steve Vassell, also called Strength, unemployed of Shortwood Road Kingston. He is charged with murder.

* Bushay Grayson, 18, also called Coolie Man, unemployed of Little London, Westmoreland. He is charged with murder.

* Junior James, 26, also called Brian, unemployed of Burnt Savanna, Westmoreland. He is charged with murder.

The police are asking anyone with knowledge of the men’s whereabouts to contact the nearest police station.

In 2011 four prisoners escaped from the Whithorn Police Station in the parish