This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/07/nyregion/new-york-prison-break-was-aided-by-huge-security-lapses-report-says.html
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
‘Systemic’ Lapses Found in Escape of 2 Killers From Dannemora Prison | ‘Systemic’ Lapses Found in Escape of 2 Killers From Dannemora Prison |
(35 minutes later) | |
Three months before two murderers escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility last year, a search of one of their cells failed to detect an 18 ½-inch-by-14 ½-inch hole in the rear wall of his cell. | Three months before two murderers escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility last year, a search of one of their cells failed to detect an 18 ½-inch-by-14 ½-inch hole in the rear wall of his cell. |
A total of 15 cell inspections were carried out in the months before the escape, but they overlooked a half-dozen hacksaw blades and other tools the two inmates were using to dig out of the maximum security state prison in far northern New York. | A total of 15 cell inspections were carried out in the months before the escape, but they overlooked a half-dozen hacksaw blades and other tools the two inmates were using to dig out of the maximum security state prison in far northern New York. |
One of the inmates spent 85 nights outside his cell exploring the tunnels beneath the prison in search of an escape route. That added up to about 400 compulsory bed checks that should have been carried out by guards, who never once noticed his absence. | One of the inmates spent 85 nights outside his cell exploring the tunnels beneath the prison in search of an escape route. That added up to about 400 compulsory bed checks that should have been carried out by guards, who never once noticed his absence. |
These were just some of the stunning security lapses detailed in a report released on Monday by state investigators to coincide with the first anniversary of the escape. The prison break touched off a manhunt that drew nationwide attention to the thick woods of the region for three weeks. | These were just some of the stunning security lapses detailed in a report released on Monday by state investigators to coincide with the first anniversary of the escape. The prison break touched off a manhunt that drew nationwide attention to the thick woods of the region for three weeks. |
The 154-page report from the New York State inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, documents a host of “systemic deficiencies” that gave the two murderers, Richard W. Matt and David Sweat, time and space to plan and execute an intricate and sophisticated prison break. | |
At the start of the overnight shift, officers falsified records to make it appear as if they were conducting rounds when they were in fact not; instead, officers testified that they would read books or play crossword puzzles, the report said. | At the start of the overnight shift, officers falsified records to make it appear as if they were conducting rounds when they were in fact not; instead, officers testified that they would read books or play crossword puzzles, the report said. |
“We’d get lazy,” said Ronald Blair, a guard who was on duty the night of the escape, according to the report. | “We’d get lazy,” said Ronald Blair, a guard who was on duty the night of the escape, according to the report. |
The two murderers took six months to plan their escape, beginning in January 2015. “Just one properly performed night round during this monthslong period would have foiled the escape,” the report said. | The two murderers took six months to plan their escape, beginning in January 2015. “Just one properly performed night round during this monthslong period would have foiled the escape,” the report said. |
Night after night for months on end, the men left dummies in their beds and slipped out of holes cut in the back of their cells. They climbed down five stories using piping along the walls and spent hours exploring tunnels beneath the prison looking for a way out. They eventually crawled out through a steam pipe. | Night after night for months on end, the men left dummies in their beds and slipped out of holes cut in the back of their cells. They climbed down five stories using piping along the walls and spent hours exploring tunnels beneath the prison looking for a way out. They eventually crawled out through a steam pipe. |
Over 1,000 law enforcement officials chased down leads from the Canadian to the Mexican borders. | Over 1,000 law enforcement officials chased down leads from the Canadian to the Mexican borders. |
In the end, they never made it far. Mr. Matt was shot and killed about 40 miles from the prison; Mr. Sweat was caught days later after he was shot and wounded by a New York state trooper. | In the end, they never made it far. Mr. Matt was shot and killed about 40 miles from the prison; Mr. Sweat was caught days later after he was shot and wounded by a New York state trooper. |