Eliahs Kent escape from Burnside leads to disciplinary action

Staff will be punished after an inmate tricked them into mistakenly releasing him from the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility earlier this month, says the province's justice minister.

According to an internal investigation, policy and procedures weren't followed the day Eliahs Knudsen Kent was released, prompting a manhunt that resulted in his arrest the next day in Spryfield.

Halifax Regional Police said a 31-year-old inmate who was supposed to be released on that date allowed Kent to pose as him and be released in his place.

Offenders at the jail have to wear a photo identification bracelet at all times, but the investigation found that rule wasn't enforced the day Kent was let out.

His photo and signature were also not verified before he was released.

"This is a case where mistakes were clearly made and there are no excuses," said Justice Minister Lena Metlege Diab in a release.

"It's unacceptable and we need to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Diab says staff are being held accountable and will be "appropriately disciplined."

Criminal Code charges have been laid against both Kent and his helper.