Posted on: Thursday, March 22, 2001

Security breach led to OCCC escapes

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

An inmate got access to a control station that enabled him to unlock cell doors at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center last night to help himself and two other inmates escape.

It was OCCC's third security breach since Jan. 17, and of those three, inmate Kerbert Silva was involved in two, including last night's short-lived escape. Both inmates were captured by 10:55 last night.

"We're again reminding our staff about security measures," O'ahu Community Correctional Center warden Clayton Frank said. "We're trying to find out what was the breach and what made this escape possible. The three individuals were caught. But, two got outside our fence again. That's always my concern."

Last night, inmates Silva, 37, and Eric Vance, 31, escaped the facility with the help of another inmate, Paul Damas, who somehow gained access to the control box for the holding cells and unlocked them.

According to preliminary information, Frank said the prison break started at about 7:15 p.m. last night when Damas, 43, was allowed to make a telephone call inside the same holding facility where Silva and Vance were kept.

Instead of using the phone, Damas gained access to the control box for the holding cells and opened a handful of cells, including Silva's and Vance's.

Silva and Vance then overpowered a guard, stole his keys, locked him in a cell and escaped with Damas through an emergency exit, locking the holding area as they went out.

Frank called that holding area the most secure in the facility and said inmates are kept in their cells about 22 to 23 hours a day. Frank said that Damas was a "floor boy" who would mop and clean the area under supervision, and that officials are looking into how Damas gained access to the control panel, which should have been secured.

After leaving the holding area, the three inmates slipped through a ripped fence, but Damas was caught trying to climb a 10-foot razor-wire fence. By that time, Silva and Vance had scaled the fence, scurried on a rooftop and headed toward Nimitz Highway where they started to climb the last 16-foot fence topped by razor wire. That's when tower guards opened fire.

"There were six shots fired in total," Frank said. "Three by each officer."

The shots apparently caused the two to "dive" from the fence to the concrete below.

Damas, Silva and Vance received lacerations during the escape, Frank said. The guard suffered minor injuries and was taken to Queen's Medical Center for treatment. He returned later to write his report and answer questions.

Silva was captured about two miles away, near the Y. Hata Warehouse at 285 Sand Island Access Road at about 8 p.m.

Sgt. Andrew Lum said Silva was captured after he was seen running toward the warehouse. Silva tried to jump a wall but officers ran him down, Lum said. Silva was taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries that he may have sustained during the escape, Lum said.

After Silva's capture, officers searched the warehouse, where they thought Vance might be hiding.

But at about 10:55 p.m., plainclothes officers in an unmarked car saw a man flagging down cars on Nimitz Highway in the eastbound direction, about a mile 'ewa of the warehouse.

The officers recognized the man as Vance and pulled over. He gave up without a struggle.

The three inmates were arrested and face charges of first-degree escape, kidnapping and second-degree assault.

Damas was awaiting trial on first-degree robbery and first-degree terroristic threatening.

Silva last escaped from OCCC on Jan.17, his 37th birthday, by climbing a 16-foot fence topped with razor wire. He was recaptured Jan 25 in Makakilo. He also escaped from prison in August 1987.

Vance has been charged with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery in the death of Kane'ohe liquor store owner Song Chol Marshall on Christmas Eve of last year. Vance was being held at OCCC awaiting his murder trial.

Officials confirmed today that tower guards armed with AR-15 rifles fired on two inmates as they scaled the last fence separating the prison from the street. It was not immediately clear whether the inmates were hit.