The Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) says a recent escape from a facility in Chattanooga is “under review,” but did not provide further details.
A month ago, Katelyn Standifer, 26, who was serving a three-year sentence for theft, and Ashley Wardlaw, 36, who was serving a four-year sentence for theft, escaped from the Chattanooga Release Center.
That program is meant for offenders nearing the end of their sentences to be reintegrated into society.
Standifer and Wardlaw apparently walked out of the facility. They were recaptured within days and now face felony escape charges. TDOC would not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding their escape, or how they were recaptured.
As for other recent escapes from correctional facilities in the state, TDOC would not say whether it was concerned, or whether it was investigating.
Saturday morning, four inmates escaped from the Silverdale Detention Center in Hamilton County.
Johnny Bryant and William Atkins were recaptured within hours of the escape, when they were located at a motel. The other two inmates, Justin Connor and Trevor Hall, were captured Saturday evening.
“I am extremely proud of the efforts of our personnel who have worked tirelessly throughout the day to ensure the swift apprehension of these four wanted fugitives was accomplished,” said HCSO Chief Deputy Austin Garrett.
A spokesperson for TDOC said that the state agency does not oversee the Silverdale Detention Center.
It said the same of the Sullivan County Jail, from which three inmates escaped earlier this year.
In February, those inmates escaped through an HVAC air vent and led authorities on a manhunt that ended in Wilmington, North Carolina, where two of the men were found dead, and one was recaptured.
Asked whether it was concerned about the uptick in escapes from county jails, and what dangers such escapes could pose to Tennesseeans, TDOC did not respond.
The state agency has faced other trouble this year, too.
In May, TDOC prison guard Michael Vernon White, who worked at DeBerry Special Needs Facility in Nashville, was arrested on charges of possessing child pornography.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Tennessee Department of Correction” by Tennessee Department of Correction.
