KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition Spokesman on National Security Derrick Smith, following Wednesday’s escape of four inmates from the Whithorn police lock-up in Westmoreland, says he is alarmed and disgusted at the frequency of jail-breaks in recent times.

Smith, as a result, is urging the National Security Minister Peter Bunting to make a statement on the matter.

In a news release Thursday Smith said: “News of inmates escaping the custody of the police have become far too frequent and each incident of jailbreak is a source of disgust and distress for the general public”.

“It is particularly distressing to note that this is the second occasion in little over four years that there is a jail break at the Whithorn Police Station. When considered against the backdrop of the escape of eight detainees from the Savanna-la-mar police station in June of last year, and the escape of six inmates in November and another five in December from the Freeport and Spanish Town police lock-ups respectively, it is clear that we have a huge problem on our hands,” Smith said.

“Something is definitely wrong. We have a clear trend of detainees escaping the custody of the police and this trend is continuing unabated.  This situation cannot continue.  It is not just untenable but represents a serious threat to public safety and security, and certainly serves to demoralise the men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force who work diligently to apprehend suspected criminals and help secure convictions.”

“Many of whom have escaped the custody of the police in these disturbing jail-breaks are hardened criminals who have been accused and/or convicted of very serious offences, including murder,” Smith said.