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| Fla. Sheriff Blames Escapes on Overcrowded Jail |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 04/24/2003 |
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Calhoun County Sheriff David Tatum says understaffing, overcrowding and the dilapidated condition of his jail contributed to the escape of two prisoners, both later recaptured. Inmates James Blizzard, 22, and Jason Butler, 21, escaped April 13. Both were caught, one on April 14 and one on April 15, after they stole a boat and crossed the Apalachicola River into Liberty County, Tatum said. The prisoners were being moved from a day cell to regular cells when Blizzard overpowered an officer, the sheriff said. The officer was uninjured. Blizzard was being held on armed burglary charges and Butler was accused of violating probation on sexual battery against a child. Tatum said a tight budget means officers often have to cut corners to stay safe. Two doors leading upstairs to Blizzard's and Butler's cells were open so the female officer would not be locked up alone with them. 'That way, if anything happens, someone can rush upstairs to help,' Tatum said. That likely would be the dispatcher, the only other regularly scheduled staff member. Locks on some cell doors are broken, leaving only one cellblock door to keep the inmates confined. 'Nobody builds parts for these things and nobody repairs them,' Tatum said. After taking office in 2001, he approached Calhoun County commissioners, Gov. Jeb Bush and other officials but was told there was no money for a new jail. County Commissioner William Sewell said a committee is working on the issue but that federal funding may be the only hope. |
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