Employee charged in Dannemora prison escape

Richard Matt, left, and David Sweat escaped the Clinton Correctional Facility, about 100 kilometers southeast of Cornwall, Ont., on Saturday June 6, 2015. Matt was shot and killed by authorities while Sweat was captured near the Canadian border. (Photo/New York State Police/Handout)

DANNEMORA, N.Y. – As the manhunt was in its seventh day for escaped prisoners Daivd Sweat and Richard Matt, a prison worker has been charged in connection to their escape.

New York State police announced at a news conference Friday night, Joyce Mitchell, 51, is charged with promoting prison contraband and criminal facilitation.

Promoting prison contraband is a class D felony with a possible sentence of two-and-a-third to seven years in prison.

Criminal facilitation is a class A misdemeanor.

Mitchell was a seamstress that worked inside the maximum security Clinton Correctional Facility, about an hour’s drive southeast of Cornwall, Ont.

An intense search was underway late Monday afternoon in an area about five kilometers (three miles) southeast of Dannemora, N.Y. in the community of Cadyville.

In the initial days of their breakout Saturday morning, Sweat and Matt’s escape sparked fears they may try to flee to Canada through Quebec or Ontario.

A New York State policeman said during the news conference they have no reason to believe the prisoners have left the immediate area around Dannemora.

David Sweat was serving a life sentence for shooting a sheriff’s deputy 15 times and running over him.

Richard Matt was serving 25 years to life for kidnapping, killing and dismembering his boss.

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