ACTING COMMISSIONER of Corrections, Earl Fearon, has ordered a full investigation into the escape of inmate, and well-known gospel artiste, Lloyd 'Father' Reese.
Mr. Reese, who was serving a life sentence for murder at the Camp Road Rehabilitation Centre, Kingston, escaped custody during a trip to Stage Records on Springvale Avenue, also in Kingston.
The Department of Corrections, in a release issued Tuesday, said: "The inmate was permitted on Day Release under the supervision of a correctional officer." This was last Thursday, April 17.
Mr. Reese, who has entered a number of song competitions in recent years, was at the Fabulous Five Inc.-owned studio to receive voice training lessons, when he made a run for it.
The incident was reported to the Cross Roads Police.
TEMPORARY ABSENCES
In explaining its policy on Day Release, the Department of Corrections said temporary absences can last from one to eight hours in any single day. It further said that time away from the correctional centres may be granted for a number of reasons. These reasons range from medical, compassionate, administrative, family, to community activity.
On Monday, The Gleaner reported that "Father" Reese, who has reportedly composed over 150 songs since being sentenced to death on two counts of murder, in 1983, was transferred to the Camp Road-based facility in November of last year. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1995.
Prior to his transfer, he had been allowed to go to church twice a month and was not accompanied by a correctional officer every time he was allowed out.
