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Joyce Mitchell Pleads Guilty To Sneaking Tools For Prison Inmates' Escape
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 28, 2015
Modified Apr 5, 2018
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 28, 2015
Modified Apr 5, 2018
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The prison tailor shop supervisor who hid tools inside frozen hamburger meat, leading to one of the most audacious prison breaks in New York state history, was sentenced today. Joyce Mitchell pleaded guilty to promoting prison contraband and criminal facilitation for her role in David Sweat and Richard Matt's escape.
According to the Press-Republican, the plea means that she will serve "the maximum indeterminate time for her convictions — 2 1/3 to seven years in prison for admitting to first-degree promoting prison contraband, a felony; and a year in Clinton County Jail for fourth-degree criminal facilitation, a misdemeanor. Other conditions include continued cooperation in the State Inspector General's investigation, giving up her state teaching certificate and a $5,000 fine."
Sweat and Matt were discovered missing from the Clinton Correctional Facility on the morning of June 6th, when prison officials found dummies made out of sweatshirts in their beds. Matt was fatally shot by police on June 26th while Sweat was wounded by a state trooper on June 28th. Sweat spent months exploring the prison's bowels before they escaped.
While reports have suggested that Mitchell had an intimate relationship with either Sweat or Matt (or both), Sweat has denied they were lovers. Mitchell has not spoken to the press, but her lawyer said the married 51-year-old mother was going to be the inmates' getaway driver but had a change of heart and decided she didn't want her leave her husband. (Also because the prisoners planned to kill her husband.)
There may be additional charges if the investigation reveals Mitchell had further involvement.
Tagged
clinton correctional facility
david sweat
joyce mitchell
prison break
richard matt
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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