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| Two Female Officers Overpowered; S.C. Con Escapes |
| By Union Herald-Journal |
| Published: 01/03/2003 |
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The search for a Union County. S.C., jail escapee on the run for more than two days continued Monday. Tommy Lee Lawson Jr., 22, overpowered two female officers at 12:40 p.m. Saturday and left the facility on foot wearing khaki jail clothing, said Jail Administrator Jeff Lawson. One of the officers was treated for minor injuries, the administrator said. The escape marked the second this year and third in four years at the facility. The inmate had been booked in Dec. 3 on charges of resisting arrest, criminal domestic violence, kidnapping and a General Sessions bench warrant, the administrator said. The escape appeared to be a planned event, and someone may have waited in a vehicle for Tommy Lawson, according to information from the jail. The officer had entered the maximum-security cell to change linen. Tommy Lawson then fled through the intake area, Jeff Lawson said. The third officer on shift was monitoring other inmates. Other agencies including the City of Union responded to help. A helicopter and bloodhounds aided in the search. In February, three inmates overpowered a detention officer. The officer's nose was broken and he had a facial fracture. The inmates were found at a mobile home about three hours later, where they were discarding jail clothing. In 1998, a 32-year-old man and 21-year-old man overpowered two female officers and took one's car keys. They were apprehended two days later. Jeff Lawson said safety at the jail, which averages about 28 inmates, could be improved with increased manpower. Currently, there are 13 officers who work in three-person shifts, he said. Requests for additional staff have not been a priority in tight budget times. |
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It is inspiring to read how this website shows empathy to inmates and prison guards and their shared story. If you want to read more about how empathy affects your world, read Hamilton Lindley blog where he discusses the importance of being empathetic.