New video shows how 2 inmates escaped Philadelphia prison in May
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Newly released surveillance video by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office shows how two men escaped the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center back in early May.
On Wednesday morning, District Attorney Larry Krasner presented part of the findings of his investigation into that escape at a City Council Committee of Public Safety hearing. The surveillance video showed Ameen Hurst and Nasir Grant walk out of their cells at around 8:30 p.m. and then hiding before prosecutors said another inmate, acting as lookout, gave them the clear to leave through the prison doors.
In another security camera view, prosecutors shared, it shows the inmates running across the yard where they then eventually escaped.
A photo, shared by prosecutors, also revealed a hole in the fence at the jail that Hurst and Grant were able to sneak through had been there for about seven weeks.
Prison officials supposedly knew about this hole and looked at it days before the escape, but nothing was done.
SEE ALSO: Philadelphia prison escape shows divide between prison leaders, officers
"We have video indicating that prison personnel actually were aware of this four days before the escape," Krasner said.
Krasner outlined a series of issues that contributed to the escape notably – staffing issues. At the time, prosecutors said one guard left their second shift four hours early and the person who relieved them apparently fell asleep on the job.
"The escape occurs when the relief finally shows up. That relief goes to sleep," Krasner said.
Prosecutors added after the inmates escaped, several bed counts made by guards were incorrect and the prior count number was punched in.
"A count is supposed to be a count. A count is not supposed to be a nap," Krasner added.
"The way that this actually came to people's attention was there was some chatting going on among inmates that was overheard or maybe deliberately disclosed to a correctional officer many hours after the escape and then that correctional officer started asking questions," he said.
Right now – a spokesperson with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons said there are nearly 800 job openings out of the 1,719 budgeted. Recruitment, the spokesperson said, is ongoing.
Another issue highlighted was "external infrastructure issues" including the sensor poles – used to detect motion out in the yards. Krasner said the inmates instead climbed them to get out of the yard.
"Eventually someone decided to turn them off. They have been turned off for more than a decade," Krasner said.
In testimony Wednesday prior to the DA's Office speaking on the record, Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Blanche Carney spoke.
Carney highlighted infrastructure and security repairs, changing executive leadership and recruitment efforts to boost staffing vacancies. She added the department continues to work with the DA's Office and "outside legal council."
"While the investigation is still ongoing, I am unable to provide testimony on additional personnel-related actions that may occur as a result," Carney said.
So far, the DA notes six people have been arrested, and more may be coming. A spokesperson with the DA's Office said the investigation into this prison break continues.
Krasner noted what was shared on public record Wednesday is only a fraction of the investigation. Councilmembers took the DA up on an invitation to continue conversations and view additional evidence at a later time.
