Employees of the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Department have been quick to point out that there are no security problems at the county jail, that they always search inmates for foreign objects, and that they are confident they have everything under control.

Monday, July 31, 2000

Employees of the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Department have been quick to point out that there are no security problems at the county jail, that they always search inmates for foreign objects, and that they are confident they have everything under control.

Which begs the question: How, then, were three inmates able to climb right out the window and run away?

There must have been a lapse in security somewhere along the chain – otherwise, how did these three petty criminals get a hold of the tools needed to pry out a jail cell’s window?

Law enforcement officials must figure out where and why the problem happened, and ensure that it won’t happen again.

Given the jail’s record – no escapes in nearly 25 years, until this week – it’s safe to say the place has always been run well. And it is true that most windows in the facility are too narrow for a person to squeeze through. The point of escape just happened to be the only window that was wide enough – the window in a minimum-security block.

It’s natural that jailers wouldn’t expect trouble from three inmates like those who broke out: They were in a minimum security cell block, faced relatively minor charges, and will be in much more trouble when caught than they were before.

But crooks aren’t noted for their predictability, and all inmates should be treated as escape risks. Wouldn’t bars on the windows be in order, just in case a window was pried loose?

While the three that escaped aren’t considered extremely dangerous, they are nonetheless accused criminals facing charges. While they may not have a violent criminal record, a minimum security prisoner might have a dangerous streak that’s unknown to police.

Part of keeping the jail escape-proof, too, is performing regular maintenance. Because of overcrowded conditions, it had been as much as two years since jail staff had been able to clear out the minimum-security block for maintenance.

But blaming the escape entirely on maintenance doesn’t quite hold up.

The building superintendent said the window in question wasn’t suffering from upkeep problems. Granted, he may not know of a problem if he hasn’t had the chance to look; but if anybody knows, it’s him, and he says maintenance wasn’t an issue.

Regardless, the escape is sure to raise more questions about the jail’s condition, and fuel debate about whether a new facility is needed.