Keller: Security lapses not tolerated

Newly appointed Correction Secretary Al Keller said today that an escape attempt at a maximum-security prison in Laurinburg exposed sloppy security practices that he is determined to fix.

"During the investigation that has followed, it has become apparent that internal procedures for routine inmate counts were not being properly followed," Keller said in a statement. "The first job of this department is public safety and this kind of lapse in protocol is unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

The escape attempt happened last week at the Scotland Correctional Institution. Correction officers caught the inmate without incident before he could leave the compound, Correction spokesman Keith Acree said.

Keller said the prison's administrator has been reassigned while the department investigates the security issues. Acree said other employees would likely be disciplined, but it's unclear at this point where the breakdown originated. Prisons are supposed to perform multiple inmate counts each day to prevent escapes.

The announcement is a break from Keller's predecessor, Theodis Beck, who did not broadly publicize problems within the department. Acree said Keller's statement reflects newly-elected Gov. Beverly Perdue's policy of "early disclosure and accountability to the public."

Perdue, who is on vacation, quickly followed Keller's announcement with a statement.

"I will not tolerate public safety being put at risk because procedures were not followed by some prison personnel," she said. "I have directed Secretary Keller to take swift action based on his investigation and to take action system wide to ensure strict adherence to policies that protect the public.”