Huntington Has 3 Work Release Escapees in 3 Weeks (W.Va)

http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=101035 ^ | 6/7/2011 | Kelly Brennan

[Morgana]

In three weeks there have been three inmates who escaped from the Huntington Work Release Center. One inmate has been caught, but two are still on the run.

HUNTINGTON -- At the Huntington Work Release Center, 50 male inmates and 12 female inmates reside. According to Deputy Commissioner James J. Ielapi of the West Virginia Division of Corrections, these are a low custody classification of inmates who are physically able to work. “It’s a step toward going back to a community to live.”

The center, located on Fifth Avenue in Huntington, has supervisors who keep track of inmates. Every morning and night the inmates check in with supervisors.

Inmates sleep, eat and reside short-term in the correctional facility. “They go to and from their work site and some take public transportation,” said Ielapi.

This sense of freedom could lead some to run away, or the fear of returning to the community causes them to escape, knowing the punishment when caught is a setback in the system. “They’re in one of our transition settings, least secure settings," according to Ielapi. "And one step toward going back home after being a convicted felon.”

Ielapi said there is not one true reason why inmates escape; escapes occur, but not often. The recent number of escapees, he added, are an exception to the norm.

David Knight, 35, and Dejuan Jones, 38, are both on the run.

If anyone has any information please call the Huntington Work Release Center at 304-529-6885.