Concern grows as more inmates escape

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- For the third time in less than four months, an inmate has escaped from the Noxubee County Community Work Center.

The multiple escapes have led to many people express concerns over their safety.

Recent events have caused residents to be on edge. They are making sure their doors are locked and keeping an eye open.

“It’s happening too many times. It’s time to shut down,” said Latoria Johnson.

Since October of last year, residents in Noxubee county have heard “lock your doors, an inmate has escaped.” More times than anyone would like.

After yesterday’s most recent escape, concerns are growing.

“It’s very scary you know you don’t think about your safety so much because we live in a pretty secluded area and we have been leaving our doors unlocked, and cars unlocked with keys in them because we live out, but we don’t do that anymore,” said Kathrine Dobson.

“It doesn’t make me feel too happy because I will have children and grandchildren I want to be safe, but I’m glad that I didn’t take them long to catch them,” said Johnson.

When there’s an escape, Noxubee County Sheriff Terry Grassaree’s goal is to keep everyone informed.

“First information let everybody know what’s going on like what time he escaped as soon as he escaped. Be on the look out. If you see something suspicious call us and of course to let them know that we’ve got people in the area that’s helping protect them so if they need us just call we’ve got somebody answering our phones,” said Sheriff Grassaree.

But the number of escapes is raising some red flags for residents.

“I’m just questioning the people in authority who’s in charge here who’s doing what and who’s not doing what its just very frightening for us,” said Dobson.

That confusion is not new to Sheriff Grassaree. He says people often get the two facilities confused, but while he’s not in charge, he is ready to help out.

“Like everybody I’m on Facebook, too. I’ve seen where it says a Noxubee County Jail, but it wasn’t the Noxubee County Jail. It was the Noxubee County Correctional Facility it wasn’t at my facility it was at the compartment facility. We just join in because if anything happens in Noxubee, that’s where the Noxubee County Sheriffs Department comes in,” said Sheriff Grassaree.

Grassaree says it possibly comes down to who the CWC is meant to hold.

“They was built more or less to hold low-level offenders. They weren’t really built to hold violent offenders. I’m quite sure they’re going to come back and do something. I don’t know exactly what it’s gonna be. It’s up to them, but I’m quite sure they’re kicking the can over around right now as we speak,” said Sheriff Grassaree.

Sheriff Grassaree says the best thing you can do if an escape alert goes out is: Lock your doors, keep your kids in, still travel back and forth to work but try to get home before it gets dark, and lastly listen to your animals.

If your dog starts barking differently then normal call the Sheriff’s department and they will come out to investigate.