Jail inmate walks away from work release duty
Sheriff says program benefits inmates, society
A prisoner walked away Thursday during a county sheriff's department work release program.
The prisoner was captured later that day and returned to the jail.
Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker explained the purpose of the program.
"We are mandated to provide a certain amount of time outdoors each day for prisoners," said Becker. The jail facility doesn't have televisions or other activities to keep prisoners from getting restless.
"My number one concern is the safety of my personnel," Becker said. By allowing non-violent prisoners to become trustees and participate in the work release program, it gives inmates an incentive to behave and earn outdoor privileges.
Becker said most trustees are serving a fixed sentence for crimes such as driving under the influence, drug possession, and other crimes that are not against another person.
The other side of the issue is eventually more prisoners will return to communities — oftentimes within the county.
"They're going to return to your society," Becker said. "While incarcerated, it gives them something constructive to do."
Becker said with the current jail configuration there is no secure area for the prisoners to work. Supervision typically is a deputy periodically checking on the inmates while they're working just outside the jail on the courthouse lawn.
Jobs performed in the program typically are yard and building maintenance at the courthouse. Prisoners currently are repainting county road signs.
"There was one trustee who worked in a county office," Becker said. "He was really good with numbers and did a great job."
Thursday's incident was a result of inmates being given too much free time, Becker said.
Dustin Shiplet, 22, was incarcerated for possession of marijuana. The prisoner was working in the courthouse yard when he walked away and fled.
At 3:30 p.m., Shiplet was reported missing. A description also was known of a vehicle and driver who was the last person to have talked with Shiplet in a parking lot south of the courthouse.
By 4:30 p.m., contact had been made with the person deputies suspected had assisted Shiplet with the escape.
"When cell phones are being used, we can verify where the caller is located," Becker explained. "So we knew the driver was in Eureka."
At the time, the driver denied having Shiplet with her. Later, it was determined she had driven him to Eureka. She claimed Shiplet threatened to kill her if she did not comply with his demands.
Becker said he wanted the information to be broadcast on scanners because he wanted the public to come forward with information, which they did.
A Greenwood County deputy saw Shiplet at a convenience store in Eureka at 9 p.m. and notified Marion County authorities.
Following an investigation, charges were filed against four people.
The driver of the vehicle, Casey Park of Marion, was charged with obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting a felon.
Shawn Hayes and Kaylynn Rudolph, also of Marion, were charged with aiding and abetting a felon, conspiracy, encouraging juvenile misconduct, and felony obstruction of justice.
Shiplet was charged with endangering a child, encouraging juvenile misconduct, and obstruction of justice. He was being held on $100,000 bond. Hayes and Rudolph bonded out, Becker said. Park was being held by juvenile services.
