Alleged escapee is returned to prison

A 24-year-old prison inmate who failed to return to the Laumaka Work Furlough Center after work on Nov. 6 was returned by Honolulu police to Oahu Community Correctional Center on Wednesday morning.

Eric Fernando, who is serving a sentence for burglary, left the furlough center on Nov. 5 for work and failed to return by 3:30 a.m. Nov. 6.

Fernando’s next parole hearing was scheduled for December. Prison officials said a charge of second-degree escape will be added to his charges.

Located one block from OCCC, Laumaka is a minimum-security work furlough center for community custody inmates. Inmates assigned to Laumaka are either actively seeking employment or working in the community.