UPDATED: Prison escapee faces 5 more years

EIGHT months before he was scheduled to be released, prisoner Dillon Clarke escaped while doing yard duties around the Maximum Security Prison, Arouca.

According to a media release from the Prison Service, Clarke, 35, of Mt Zion Road, Maturita Village, Arima, was working in the yard as part of the agricultural out-gang around 7.30am when he ran away. Clarke, who was serving 24 months for malicious damage, was not considered a violent prisoner and earned the spot on the team because of this.

If convicted of escaping he faces a $100,000 fine and imprisonment for five years.

Clarke is five foot eight tall, of a brown complexion and slim-built. He has a long scar on his left forearm.

Anyone with information on Clarke is asked to contact the nearest police station, call 999, or contact the Prison Service at 623 7070.

The release said the Prison Service was working diligently with thep olice to apprehend Clarke as quickly as possible.

This story was originally published with the title "Prisoner escapes from Golden Grove" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

POLICE and prison officers are searching for a 35-year-old escapee from the Maximum Security Prison, Arouca.

According to prison reports, Dillon Clarke of Maturita Road, Arima was outside with other inmates this morning, cleaning the surroundings of the compound as part of his duties when he ran off. Clarke was serving 24 months for malicious damage.

Authorities say he is considered armed and dangerous.