Mexico catches escapees from island penal colony

[ellisonz]

Source: AP

By MARK STEVENSON | AP – 3 hrs ago

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Six inmates from the last island penal colony in the Americas were recaptured at sea after they used buoyant containers and wood planks to try to swim to freedom in an escape reminiscent of the 1973 movie "Papillon."

The Mexican navy said the inmates used empty plastic gas or water tanks to help stay afloat as they swam about 60 miles (90 kilometers) south of the Islas Marias, a Mexican penal colony where inmates live in small houses and are normally not locked up. Prisoners can tend small gardens and raise food.

The six men were only about 60 miles from the Pacific coast resort of Puerto Vallarta when they were spotted by a passing boat early Thursday.

The boat called in a tip to a local naval base, and patrol boats were quickly dispatched to take the men into custody. Photos provided by the navy showed them men sunburned but alert — and unhappy — on the deck of the patrol vessel.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/mexico-catches-escapees-island-penal-colony-032153707.html

[alp227]

1. Puerto Vallarta? VERY far away from the US. Good on the Mex military.

[24601]

2. Itsn't that an all-male nudist camp? n/t