Arrested Prison Guard Says He Helped Escaped Inmates
Arrested Prison Guard Says He Helped Escaped Inmates
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In this handout photo provided by the New York State Police, Clinton Correctional Facility Correction Officer Gene Palmer, 57, of Dannemora, NY poses for a mugshot photo, June 24, 2015.New York State Police/Getty Images
A guard at the New York prison where two killers escaped told police that he granted the men special access outside their cells and gave them supplies — but he said he never thought they would escape.
The guard, Gene Palmer, told police in a statement that he helped the inmates, Richard Matt and David Sweat, because Matt gave him “elaborate paintings” and information on illegal acts by other inmates.
The statement was obtained Thursday by NBC News. Palmer was arrested Wednesday and charged with promoting prison contraband, evidence tampering and official misconduct.
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo tours the Clinton Correctional Facility, where two inmates escaped on Saturday, in Dannemora, N.Y. on June 6, 2015.Darren McGee—Office of the Governor of New YorkA man-made hole in the wall of the escaped inmates' cell at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y. on June 6, 2015.Darren McGee—Office of the Governor of New YorkThe industrial area where inmates escaped to from a hole in their cell at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y. on June 6, 2015.Darren McGee—Office of the Governor of New YorkGov. Andrew Cuomo tours the escape route taken by two prisoners at the Clinton Correctional Facility on Saturday, in Dannemora, N.Y. on June 6, 2015.Darren McGee—Office of the Governor of New YorkGov. Andrew Cuomo tours the escape route taken by two prisoners at the Clinton Correctional Facility on Saturday, in Dannemora, N.Y. on June 6, 2015.Darren McGee—Office of the Governor of New YorkGov. Andrew Cuomo tours the escape route taken by two prisoners at the Clinton Correctional Facility on Saturday, in Dannemora, N.Y. on June 6, 2015.Darren McGee—Office of the Governor of New YorkGovernor Andrew Cuomo tours the escape route taken by two prisoners at the Clinton Correctional Facility on Saturday, in Dannemora, N.Y. on June 6, 2015.Darren McGee—Office of the Governor of New YorkGovernor Andrew Cuomo tours the escape route taken by two prisoners at the Clinton Correctional Facility on Saturday, in Dannemora, N.Y. on June 6, 2015.Darren McGee—Office of the Governor of New YorkGov. Andrew Cuomo tours the escape route taken by two prisoners at the Clinton Correctional Facility on Saturday, in Dannemora, N.Y. on June 6, 2015.Darren McGee—Office of the Governor of New YorkGov. Andrew Cuomo surveys the manhole where two prisoners resurfaced after escaping from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y. on June 6, 2015.Darren McGee—Office of the Governor of New York
