Abraham's statement mentions the lapse of time between the escape of inmate Charles Richards on August 12, and the press release issued to the public by State Police the following morning. According to Abraham, Paducah-McCracken County Dispatch was notified about the escape at 8:30 pm on Sunday, but the press release from police was received by West Kentucky Star at 7:25 am on Monday.
Abraham told West Kentucky Star he has spoken to people who live near Keeton Correctional Facility, and they have expressed concern for their safety, especially regarding children who ride buses to and from school.
"Talking to some of the residents up there, they're very concerned about it," Abraham said. "Recently some of the actions that's happened there, folks escaping, stealing cars, wrecking them on the interstate, finding inmates sleeping in folks' cars, all of those things happened there. So, why isn't that shut down? Who wants that in their neighborhood?"
Abraham said, "If parents had been notified of the escape within a short period of time, then they would be able to take the necessary precautions with their families and within their neighborhoods. There are vunerable people living in these neighborhoods who may be out alone, walking their dogs or just playing or walking in the neighborhoods."
Commissioner Abraham said he will introduce an ordinance that outlines how the public is alerted when an escape occurs at the halfway house. He also intends to introduce a municipal order directing 911 Dispatch to notify the public within 30 minutes of their notification of an escape.
After two incidents in 2017 in which escapees were arrested for auto theft and burglary, Abraham, along with other city and county leaders, met with state officials, including Secretary John Tilley of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Department, to discuss the situation. Local leaders requested that no more inmates be sent to Keeton until conditions were reviewed and policies were updated. They also expressed their hope that the facility be moved away from the residential neighborhood.
Abraham's statement says there are still unanswered questions about internal policies at Keeton, and in regards to promises he believes were made by Secretary Tilley. Abraham has written a letter to Tilley and Governor Matt Bevin about his concerns.
On the Net:
Richard Abraham Letter
