Among those on the run is a 17-year-old double murderer who had been moved to the centre after being caught following an escape from another prison.

BBC: Peru juveniles escape from prison in mass breakouts

Seven men have been arrested over the escape of an inmate from a prison van when it was ambushed on its way to court.

BBC: John Anslow escape: Seven men arrested

For good measure, he was forced to watch from his prison cell while his best friend, an accomplice in the escape attempt, was decapitated.

ECONOMIST: Historical biography