2 guards slapped in jail escape

TWO CORRECTION officers who did not see an inmate escape from a recreation yard have been suspended without pay, the Daily News has learned.

Naquan Hill, 24, jumped over a fence in a small yard near the Anna M. Kross Center at Rikers Island on Wednesday night.

The officers never counted the number of inmates before returning to the building, jail insiders said. “How did they not realize he was missing?” a source asked. “They really messed up.”

The guards — who were not named — will be suspended for at least 30 days, sources said.

Then their case will be reviewed by a panel of union reps and jail brass that goes over all suspensions that last more than 30 days.

Investigators are looking into whether Hill (photo inset) discussed the escape with his family on the phone, a source familiar with the case said. They also believe he scoped out the recreation yard from his cell for days.

On Sunday, the union representing city jail officers defended its membership, noting escapes are rare.

“It’s been a long time since we had an inmate escape our custody, too long to remember,” said Elias Husamudeen, president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association.

“We will provide our two officers with the best representation possible and will vigorously defend them,” he added.

A captain on duty was tackling other jobs and was not in the yard when the escape occurred, a source said.

Husamudeen pointed out that two correction officers in the communications unit apprehended Hill after an eight-hour search.

“Even in last week’s incident, it was two correction officers who caught the escapee and successfully returned him back to our custody,” Husamudeen said.

Hill, who is in jail facing burglary charges, cut himself as he hopped over the razor wire fence at 7:30 p.m., sources said. He made a run for it as five other inmates distracted an officer, the sources said.

The Bronx district attorney is investigating his escape attempt and will likely hit him with added charges, sources said.

The Correction Department confirmed that two officers were suspended but did not provide further details.

A prosecutor may be subpoenaed for what she knew about tactics to get statement from Lawrence Dilione (main photo) in slay of Joseph Comunale (top left). James Rackover (top r.) is also a suspect.