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The Texas Seven - Page 2

© Tony Lacey

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice [TDCJ] ("http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/") have turned to the Internet to try and collect information on the escapees. They are seeking help identifying potential evidence ("http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/announcement...") including "two vehicles believed to have been seen in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that could have been used recently by the seven escaped inmates ". In addition, the TDCJ has released a collection of wanted photos of the seven ("http://people.txucom.net/tdcj-iad/wanted...") in the hope that someone will remember having seen them nearby. The warning is often stressed not to confront the fugitives, but to contact the police immediately. And there are enough to contact; Texas Rangers, officers, the FBI and more have all been drafted in for the manhunt - reflecting the seriousness and determination of the forces to bring the situation to an end.

Questions have to be asked about how the men managed to escape from a high-security prison. Blame is being directed at what is said to be poor security from a guard tower within the prison, where the most basic of security procedures was apparently not followed - with the escape the result. Alfred Stringfellow of the TDCJ stressed the point that he believed poor security was to blame: "We have 30,000 correctional officers that are hardworking. But if at any time they fail to follow proper procedures, things like this can happen," he said. "Obviously, we have security measures in place, and if they are followed, things like this don't happen" ("http://www.dallasnews.com/metro/257234_m..."). One of the seven who was dressed in the uniform of an officer they had overpowered was allowed into the guard tower without showing any identification. It was this that led to the seven finalising the last few steps of their escape plan.

Criticism has also been levelled at the staff levels and funding of the Texas police service. There are up to 160,000 in 116 Texan prisons causing massive overcrowding ("http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/11/nation..."). Add this to the existing complaints of low pay and violence against prison staff and Texas has seen its prison force shrink. This under-staffing has been seen as one reason for the lax security that is alleged to have helped the escape take place. The TDCJ's report on the breakout stated "Non-compliance with agency policies contributed to the successful escape from the compound'' ("http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010111..."). Meanwhile, CNN reports that repercussions will be felt throughout the Texas police force: "We expect disciplinary action," said Gary Johnson, director of the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "Firing is possible." ("http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/01/11/texas.e...").

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