from the minimum security Prison Farm in St. George's yesterday.

Prisons Commissioner Edward Dyer would only confirm a prisoner had escaped, but would not release details while the incident was being investigated.

Mr. Dyer said: "I can confirm a prisoner escaped from our premises this morning. Yes, it was from the Prison Farm.'' Mr. Dyer would not be drawn on the circumstances of the escape. A Police spokeswoman said Police were notified of the escape around 7 a.m. yesterday. The prisoner had been seen in the Court Street, Cox's Hill, and Serpentine Road areas of Pembroke.

The Royal Gazette understands the man is 28-year-old Roddelle Lightbourne of Spring Hill, Warwick.

Lightbourne was sentenced in February 12 to nine months in prison for breaking into two homes in January and February.