Taylor County to Evaluate Inmate Work Crews After Latest Escape
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: December 6, 2011
The Taylor County Sheriff has placed the jail on lockdown and suspended inmate work crews in the wake of the latest escape.
James Ingle ran out the emergency door of a Taylor County work crew bus and ran Monday afternoon. This is the second escape in two weeks, and third in just slightly more than a year.
Authorities captured all three escapees just hours after they got away, but some people are asking if there's a problem before.
"I'd like to continue to progress with the successes that we've had utilizing inmate work crews," said Chuck Statler, Taylor County Commissioner.
Statler said the program will most likely be reevaluated, but adds that its pros far outweigh the cons.
"There's been an isolated incident recently, but I'd like to continue to see us move forward with this program. We're actually saving money for the taxpayers by using this labor pool," he said.
Two weeks ago, Dustin Bates escaped when he climbed a fence at the jail. He then stole a truck from the nearby State Supported Living Center and led authorities on a high speed chase. He was taken into custody at I-20 and Loop 322 about two hours later.
Inmate Darrel Schenk got out last October when he climbed onto the roof from the recreation area. Authorities captured him hours later using a DPS chopper and infrared camera.
"Unfortunately, we've had these events. And they're very upsetting to me," said Les Bruce, Taylor County Sheriff.
Bruce said the sheriff's office is investigating the latest escape.
"We will move swiftly on it. We see that we need to make changes in our work crew program, we're going to make those changes," he said.
James Ingle ran out the emergency door of a Taylor County work crew bus and ran Monday afternoon. This is the second escape in two weeks, and third in just slightly more than a year.
Authorities captured all three escapees just hours after they got away, but some people are asking if there's a problem before.
"I'd like to continue to progress with the successes that we've had utilizing inmate work crews," said Chuck Statler, Taylor County Commissioner.
Statler said the program will most likely be reevaluated, but adds that its pros far outweigh the cons.
"There's been an isolated incident recently, but I'd like to continue to see us move forward with this program. We're actually saving money for the taxpayers by using this labor pool," he said.
Two weeks ago, Dustin Bates escaped when he climbed a fence at the jail. He then stole a truck from the nearby State Supported Living Center and led authorities on a high speed chase. He was taken into custody at I-20 and Loop 322 about two hours later.
Inmate Darrel Schenk got out last October when he climbed onto the roof from the recreation area. Authorities captured him hours later using a DPS chopper and infrared camera.
"Unfortunately, we've had these events. And they're very upsetting to me," said Les Bruce, Taylor County Sheriff.
Bruce said the sheriff's office is investigating the latest escape.
"We will move swiftly on it. We see that we need to make changes in our work crew program, we're going to make those changes," he said.
