The great escape that wasn't

	Here, you can use this © AFP

What is the best time to plan a prison escape? Maybe when two top-ranked cricket teams come to your town for a World Cup clash. Before Matthew Hayden's hits induced many blows to the morale of the South African bowlers, prisoners and prison authorities exchanged some of the same 400 metres from Warner Park in St Kitts.

A statement issued by the national security ministry said the prisoners fought off guards who wanted to search a prison cell.

“The prisoners were eventually subdued and the search of the cell was conducted resulting in a small quantity of marijuana being seized,” the statement said. “About 7.30am [local time] on Saturday, prisoners escaped into the yard by using furniture in their cell to break down the door. Prison authorities requested assistance of security forces."

With the help of the CARICOM Joint Task Force the situation was brought under control but not before several prisoners and an officer were injured. A crowd of 8000 entered Warner Park a short while later for the match.

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