Jail employees disciplined after juveniles escape

A Garland County Juvenile Detention Center supervisor was terminated and six other employees disciplined after the recent escape of two juvenile inmates who were recaptured without incident, Sheriff Mike McCormick said Thursday.

The two juveniles escaped early on Feb. 10 after deputies working in the center failed to ensure security doors were properly locked, based on the findings of an internal investigation of the incident.

McCormick said that, in the wake of the investigation, six employees were suspended without pay and the shift supervisor was terminated. Both of the escaped juveniles were recaptured within 24 hours.

"Since taking office on Jan. 1, I have worked to improve standards, training and accountability in the Garland County Sheriff's Office," said McCormick. "It is our duty to protect the public at all times by ensuring the security of our detention facilities. We have rules to ensure the facilities remain secure and it is the duty of our employees to follow those rules and regulations."

The investigation said that the two juveniles breached five security doors in their escape about 3:17 a.m. on Feb. 10. The two were able to open their cell doors after jamming the locks then made their way through doors, left unlocked, and then ran out a side entrance of the facility.

McCormick said he ordered the internal investigation immediately after the escapes and released the results of the investigation as soon as the investigation was concluded. Chief Deputy Mark Chamberlain said in his recommendation for disciplinary action that "staff complacency and noncompliance with JDC policies and procedures exacerbated the situation."

In addition to the disciplinary action that has been taken, additional training is underway to ensure that all detention center employees know, and are capable of following, the policies and procedures in place to ensure the security of the detention center.

Local on 02/27/2015

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