Pubdate: Fri, 18 Nov 2005
Source: Des Moines Register (IA)
http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051118/NEWS01/51118005/1001/NEWS
Copyright: 2005 The Des Moines Register.
Contact:  http://desmoinesregister.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

VILSACK SUSPENDS EMPLOYEE IN CONNECTION WITH PRISON BREAK

Gov. Tom Vilsack said Friday that he had suspended at least one state 
employee in connection with the escape of two inmates at the Iowa 
State Penitentiary.

Both inmates were back in custody Friday after the capture of Robert 
Joseph Legendre, 27, in Steele, Mo. The other inmate, Martin Moon, 
34, was arrested Thursday, near Chester, Ill.

Vilsack said more suspensions were expected as state officials 
continue to investigate how the inmates were able to scale a 30-foot 
wall unnoticed by prison officials.

"I can also tell you we have reached some conclusions and the result 
has been personnel accountability, the suspension of at least one 
employee and I would expect and anticipate more," Vilsack said.

The Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison will remain in lockdown 
until prison officials can guarantee that it is secure and problems 
have been corrected, he said.

Vilsack declined to identify the suspended employee, saying it's a 
personnel matter.

"I told the people of this state we are going to hold the people 
responsible for this escape accountable," Vilsack said. "I can tell 
you that process has already begun."

He said there was a failure at the Fort Madison prison to account for 
inmates in prison industries, where Moon and Legendre had been working.

"That was not done and should have been done," Vilsack said.

In Mount Pleasant earlier today for an economic development summit, 
Vilsack praised law enforcement for its work apprehending the escaped convicts.

"Obviously I appreciate the fact that law enforcement was diligent 
and able to put these two characters back behind bars where they 
belong," he said.

State Senator Gene Fraise, D-Fort Madison, was at the summit with 
Vilsack and said there will be legislative hearings to investigate 
the escape and security at the prison.

"There definitely will be discussions about that. We need those 
towers manned," Fraise said.