2 'violent' inmates escape Stephenville prison

RCMP in western Newfoundland Tuesday said they were searching for two inmates who had been serving sentences for violent offences.

Terrance Payne, 27, and Timothy Gunn, 19, "both have convictions for violent criminal offences and should not be approached if located," police said in a statement.

The two men are believed to have escaped from the West Coast Correctional Centre in Stephenville early Tuesday.

Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy told CBC News that investigators believe Payne and Gunn "somehow made it under the fence surrounding the prison" during the night.

Payne, originally from Bishop's Falls, was described as five-foot-seven, weighing about 220 pounds and having brown hair and brown eyes.

Gunn, originally from Peterview, was described as five-foot-one, weighing about 130 pounds and having black hair and brown eyes.

RCMP urged drivers on Newfoundland's west coast to avoid picking up hitchhikers that match the men's descriptions.

Payne has a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for assault, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and property-related offences. In 2004, he was convicted of escape from lawful custody.

RCMP said the force could not release details about Gunn’s convictions, as they occurred when he was a young offender.

Police said a white car had been acting suspiciously outside the prison on Monday night.

Meanwhile, justice officials are investigating the break.

In a statement issued from the office of Justice Minister Felix Collins, the department said it "is certainly concerned with this incident" and that "senior corrections officials in Stephenville and from St. John's" were working on the case.

"We are putting all our support behind the RCMP to ensure these individuals are recaptured. Right now our main priority is public safety and we are reminding the public to contact the police if they believe they may have information about the whereabouts of these individuals," the department said.