Gov issues statement on escaped prisoners

Maintaining the safety and welfare of the citizens of American Samoa is a top priority for the current administration.

This is according to Governor Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga's statement regarding prisoners escaping from the Tafuna Correctional Facility.

There are numerous reports of break-ins in the Tafuna industrial park and family homes around Tafuna and Nuuuli.

Lemanu, in a statement, said that this issue is a top priority for the government. Governor Lemanu is working with Director Tauanuu Semu Tauanuu and Warden Papali’i Marion Fitisemanu to ensure that those incarcerated at TCF are securely maintained in the facility and that the public is safe from threats.

As reported yesterday, two inmates who escaped the Tafuna Correctional Facility are back in custody. Wayne Gasolo and Martine Sega escaped on Tuesday, while Gasolo was found and returned jail, Sega walked back into the TCF yesterday.

This is according to Chief of Police Pouu’amea Tuaolo Supapo. She said they are investigating how these two inmates escaped from the TCF.