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Prison staff suspended over Houdini escape

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Wed, 19 Oct 2011 9:47p.m.

Aaron Forden has been dubbed 'Houdini'

Aaron Forden has been dubbed 'Houdini'

Two staff at Mt Eden Prison have been suspended after notorious escapee Aaron Forden broke out of the jail on October 10.

Forden, dubbed "Houdini" for his serial escapes from custody, was recaptured in Auckland on Monday after a week on the run.

Forden was the first inmate to break out of the new Mt Eden Corrections Facility, working with another prisoner to flee through a service way.

The second inmate was recaptured but Forden got away, in a suspected waiting vehicle.

The privately-managed prison is run by British-based company Serco, which could face a hefty fine over the escape.

Serco Asia Pacific spokesman Paul Shaw confirmed to NZ Newswire that two prison staff had been suspended "pending the outcome of investigations".

He said he was unable to comment further on the suspensions while the investigations were ongoing.

Forden first grabbed headlines in 2008 when he broke out of Mt Eden by crawling through the roof and lowering himself off a tower with a rope made from sheets.

He was captured three days later.

This year he escaped again from a secure interview room at Whangarei District Court and remained free for two months.

Forden appeared in Auckland District Court on Tuesday charged with escaping lawful custody.

NZN

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