How Did Suspected Shooter Escape Prison?
Unclear How Accomplice Helped Man Escape
POSTED: 1:48 pm CDT June 26,
2009
UPDATED: 5:52 pm CDT June 26,
2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The company that operates the Mississippi prison where a man escaped and later was arrested in the shooting of a Metro officer admits there was some sort of breakdown that allowed Joseph Jackson to escape custody.
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Police and prison officials are trying to determine how Jackson, and his suspected accomplice, Courtney Logan hatched a daring plan that led to Jackson's escape from custody and ultimately the shooting of Metro officer Sgt. Mark Chestnut on Thursday."Without a doubt, there is a breakdown somewhere. We definitely want to determine where that is," said Steven Owen of Corrections Corporation of America, the company that operates the Mississippi prison that housed Jackson.Metro police said Jackson and Logan know each other from living in Louisville, Ky.The Channel 4 I-Team obtained a list from who has visited Jackson at the Delta Correctional Facility in Mississippi where he was imprisoned.Logan's name doesn't show up as visitor or even an approved visitor. Inmates are not allowed e-mail, and all mail, except for legal documents, is read by prison staff.As for phone calls, how did Logan know that Jackson would be at an eye doctor appointment to not only stage the escape but have clothes ready for him to change into?"Without a doubt, he knew how to be there. This was obviously a very elaborate plan that was carried out," said Owen.This is not the first time a CCA inmate has escaped from an outside medical unit. In fact, the last time it happened was in Jackson, Tenn., in 2005. The escapee was caught and prison employees were later disciplined."When something like this happens, we try to learn from it and take the appropriate steps to make sure it doesn't happen again," said Owen.Metro police said the information about Jackson's escape was entered into a national database of escaped inmates, but it was unclear if a description of the car that the suspects were driving was sent out.Both of the suspects' bonds have been set for more than $3 million. Jackson was charged with attempted homicide of a police officer, gun charges and for being a fugitive from justice. A hearing for the men was scheduled for July 1.
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