Authorities in the Dominican Republic’s La Altagracia province have initiated a comprehensive manhunt following the escape of a pretrial detainee from a correctional facility. The incident occurred at the Anamaya Correction and Rehabilitation Center in Higüey, where Franklin Risel, a Haitian national facing homicide charges, was discovered missing during routine headcount procedures on Saturday morning.
Prison officials confirmed the absence was detected in Cell 18 of Pavilion C when Risel failed to respond during roll call. Preliminary investigations reveal that fellow inmates last observed the suspect during visiting hours, despite no official visitation records being documented under his name. The General Directorate of Penitentiary and Correctional Services (DGSPC) has launched a full-scale investigation into the circumstances enabling the escape, with search operations intensifying throughout the region.
The case has raised significant concerns regarding security protocols within the correctional system, particularly regarding the monitoring of foreign nationals awaiting trial for serious crimes. Authorities are examining potential lapses in surveillance and visitation procedures that may have contributed to the incident. International alert systems have been activated given the suspect’s transnational status and the severity of the charges against him.