British Prisoner Escapes High-Security Prison in Portugal

In a significant security breach at Val di Judas prison, approximately 43 miles north of Lisbon, a British prisoner, Kir, escaped along with four other inmates on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. local time. This dangerous group includes individuals convicted of robbery, kidnapping, and drug trafficking. The escape was facilitated by external assistance through a ladder that allowed inmates to scale the prison walls easily. Reports suggest that the escape was made possible due to a shortage of prison guards, which resulted in gaps in surveillance as no one was stationed in the watchtowers at the time. The authorities are concerned about the public's safety, and the head of Portugal's National Union for prison guards has urged the public not to approach the escaped prisoners. Kir was serving a nine-year sentence and was also caught up in a situation of organized crime. The escape has prompted a call for international assistance from Portuguese police to recapture the fugitives. The prison service emphasizes the urgent need for improved guard staffing to prevent such incidents in the future, underlining the seriousness of the situation at hand.