An escapee from Vale de Judeus prison has revealed that the escape was “planned and executed” well in advance and remarked that “only those who didn’t want to, didn’t leave the prison”.
Fernando Ribeiro Ferreira, the second escapee to be recaptured, two months later in Trás-os-Montes, explained to prison services inspectors that the group became aware of the lack of guards and the “absence” of watchtowers.
The report from the Directorate-General of Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP), accessed, indicates that on the morning of September 7, 2024, once the guards opened the access door to the recreation yards, “there was never any security personnel” on watch.
The guards were either in their office, having breakfast, or doing something else, as was the usual practice—something both inmates and guards were aware of.
The document also reveals that prison guards provided prisoners with wires to hang clothes, which facilitated the escape.
Despite asserting that the five men had no active or passive help from guards or prison staff, this inmate is convinced that on that day, “only those who didn’t want to, didn’t leave the prison”.
On September 7, 2024, from Vale de Judeus in Alcoentre (Azambuja), Argentine Rodolfo Lohrmann, Briton Mark Roscaleer, Georgian Shergili Farjiani, and Portuguese Fábio Loureiro and Fernando Ribeiro Ferreira, all of whom have since been recaptured, escaped.
This escape led Rita Alarcão Júdice to order an audit of the security of Portuguese prisons and also resulted in the removal of the then Director-General of the DGRSP, Rui Abrunhosa Gonçalves, who was temporarily replaced by Isabel Leitão. Subsequently, Orlando Carvalho was appointed as the new Director-General.
The audit highlighted “deficiencies” in equipment, organization, and resource management.
The escape also prompted a Public Prosecutor’s Office inquiry to determine any potential criminal responsibilities.
Dismissals, Suspensions, and Fines in Vale de Judeus Escape Proceedings
The nine disciplinary proceedings initiated by the prison services against seven guards, a chief, and a director of Vale de Judeus following the escape of five prisoners concluded with two dismissals, two suspensions, and five fines.
According to information from the Directorate-General of Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP), regarding the conclusion of the nine disciplinary proceedings initiated following the escape of five prisoners from the Vale de Judeus prison on September 7, 2024, it was decided to dismiss two cases, suspend two cases from duty without pay, and apply fines in the remaining five cases.
The DGRSP declined to specify the sanctions applied to each individual, as well as detail the extent and gravity of the suspensions and fines, as notifications were only sent on Friday.
The inmates, all of whom have been recaptured by authorities, were serving sentences ranging from seven to 25 years for drug trafficking, criminal association, robbery, kidnapping, and money laundering, among other crimes.
The nine disciplinary proceedings initiated by the prison services against seven guards, a chief, and a director of Vale de Judeus following the escape of five prisoners were concluded with two dismissals, two suspensions, and five fines.
Lusa | 07:10 – 06/09/2025
