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Prison Population Up, Escapes Down
According to a poll conducted by Corrections Compendium magazine, there were fewer escapes in 1990 than in 1989. In 1989, there were 7,816 escapes reported from 48 states (1.33%). In 1990, those same systems reported 7,244 escapes (1.11%) - a decrease of 572 at a time when prison populations were growing by more than 60,000. Figured in proportion to the inmate population, the escape rate has been going down since 1984 (when it was 1.93%). No reason was given for the decrease in the number of escapes.
The survey found that five private citizens were killed by escaping inmates during the two-year period (over 15,000 escapes). Five inmates died while escaping. Three were from auto accidents, one drowned, and the fifth was crushed to death while trying to escape from a Nevada prison in a garbage truck. Most systems reported no violent incidents as a result of escapes.
Most escapes were from minimum or community custody, where escape is easier. Only a small number of escapes took place from medium or maximum security institutions - 428 in 1989 and 327 in 1990. In 1990, California had the highest number of escapes (1,406), while Oregon had the highest rate of escape (7.7%). Missouri had the least, reporting no escapes. In 1989, Washington state had 148 of its 7,905 prisoners escape (1.87%); 3 from medium or maximum security facilities, 36 from minimum custody, 89 from work release, and 20 from other areas. All but 4 were caught. In 1990, Washington state had 145 of its 8,339 prisoners escape (1.74%); 1 from med/max, 34 from minimum, 87 work release walk away cases, and 23 from other areas. All but 23 of those escapees have been returned to custody.
The survey found that five private citizens were killed by escaping inmates during the two-year period (over 15,000 escapes). Five inmates died while escaping. Three were from auto accidents, one drowned, and the fifth was crushed to death while trying to escape from a Nevada prison in a garbage truck. Most systems reported no violent incidents as a result of escapes.
Most escapes were from minimum or community custody, where escape is easier. Only a small number of escapes took place from medium or maximum security institutions - 428 in 1989 and 327 in 1990. In 1990, California had the highest number of escapes (1,406), while Oregon had the highest rate of escape (7.7%). Missouri had the least, reporting no escapes. In 1989, Washington state had 148 of its 7,905 prisoners escape (1.87%); 3 from medium or maximum security facilities, 36 from minimum custody, 89 from work release, and 20 from other areas. All but 4 were caught. In 1990, Washington state had 145 of its 8,339 prisoners escape (1.74%); 1 from med/max, 34 from minimum, 87 work release walk away cases, and 23 from other areas. All but 23 of those escapees have been returned to custody.
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