They were among 40 inmates who escaped from the Voinjama Central Prison on December 18, 2013, Prison Superintendent Flomo Johnson told the Liberia News Agency at the weekend.

He said the Joint Security, in collaboration with community dwellers, re-arrested the inmates who were convicted of various crimes, including rape, murder and theft.

Mr. Johnson said the re-arrested prisoners aged 19 to 50 years have been charged for jail break and if found guilty will be convicted for additional six months, increasing their jail term.

The Prison Superintendent attributed the jail break to the overcrowding of prison cells.

He disclosed that photos of the 20 escapees who are still at large have been posted in the seven districts in Lofa County for easy identification.

Meanwhile, the Prison Superintendent has stressed the need for government to construct additional cells in the Voinjama Central Prison Compound to curb continuous jail breaks.

He said in 2013, there were two jail breaks at the prison compound, noting that some of the escapees were imprisoned for committing heinous crimes.

LINA KKG/TSS/PTK