Haitian police issues first wanted list of over 80 fugitives, two months after prison breakouts

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The Haitian National Police (PNH) has issued wanted notices for over 80 prison fugitives, more than two months after the gang alliance “Viv Ansanm” attacked the country’s main prison in Port-au-Prince and the one in Croix-des-Bouquets on Mar. 2. PNH’s chief commander, Frantz Elbé, confirmed Monday that this initial list includes only the most dangerous escapees who fled from several prisons across Haiti.

A note published Tuesday on the PNH’s Facebook page, specified that Elbé has ordered various police units to track down and re-incarcerate all escapees, including those from the national penitentiary, the prison of La Croix-des-Bouquets, Cabaret, and Port- de-Paix. The police are appealing to the public to assist in this operation aimed at countering the destabilization caused by these criminals.

“Citizens who spot any listed individuals are advised not to approach them but to alert the police of their whereabouts,” read the note from the law enforcement institution.

“Security is a concern for all responsible citizens,” emphasizes the police institution. “Only through collaboration between the police and the public can we effectively combat acts of violence and banditry in the country,” PNH noted

The police action follows the prison breakouts in Port-au-Prince and Croix-des-Bouquets on March 2, during which over 4,600 prisoners escaped. More escape incidents occurred, including one at the Delmas 33 police station detention center where six police officers in custody for misconduct fled on March 3.

Since the surge in violence on February 29, at least 22 police stations and other police facilities have been vandalized or torched, and 19 police officers have been killed or injured. Several notorious criminals in Haiti are at large, posing further threats to public safety.

The initial wanted list includes high-profile criminals and gang leaders in the Haitian capital such as Ézéchiel “Ze” Alexandre from “Baz Pilat” gang, Steevenson “Djouma” Albert from Port-au-Prince Simon Pelé slums gang. It also features former high-ranking officials, Dimitri Hérard—former head of the General Security Unit of the National Palace (USGPN) and Jean Laguel Civil—former coordinator of the Presidential Security Unit (USP) who were detained in connection with President Joenel Moïse’s assassination in July 2021.

Another notable name on the list is Dunes “Jah” Vilpique, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in the assassination of former Port-au-Prince Bar Association president, Monferrier Dorval, which took place on August 28, 2020.

Since March 2, prison and detention center invasions in Haiti have become a frequent news occurrence. The latest incident occurred last weekend in Port-de-Paix, main city of the Northwest department, where the police reported a failed escape attempt by 12 inmates.

Leonel Joseph, spokesperson for the Northwest Departmental Police, reported that four of those prisoners who attempted to escape were killed, six recaptured, and two remain at large.

According to the departmental police, these inmates were part of a group of 37 who shared a single cell. The escape attempt was initiated when a guard opened the cell door to aid a apparently ill inmate, and the others seized the opportunity to attack the guard and force their way out. Two prison officers are currently under investigation.

The escape attempt occurred during a police strike, which has led to a shortage of guards in the prison. The strike, initiated on April 26 by officers from the Direction of the Prison Administration (DAP), was in response to poor working conditions and two years of unpaid dues.

During the strike, all prison visits, inmate admissions, and food deliveries have been suspended, leading to discontent among the inmates. This unrest led to one inmate being killed during a protest at the Hinche civil prison.

An anonymous DAP officer noted the disparity in treatment among the police force. “We are specialized agents like the others, but we don’t receive the same treatment or benefits,” he said.

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