Convicted Death Row Inmate Walks Out of Jail

Charles Victor Thompson, was convicted and sentenced to death in 1999 for the shooting deaths of his ex-girlfriend Dennise Hayslip, 39, and her boyfriend, Darren Keith Cain, 30.

Thompson visited with his attorney and then after the attorney left, removed his handcuffs, changed out of his orange prison jumpsuit and left the Harris County jail after flashing his inmate ID card. The card had been tampered with by placing a piece of tape over the area that identified him as an inmate. Investigation has been launched to determine whether he had help.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office admits that human error allowed the escape. I'll say. There is no way a death row inmate could have gotten out without more than a few people failing to follow procedure somewhere. My first thought was that he had help, then I began thinking about how he could have done it all himself.

The handcuff keys came from somewhere. Either someone gave them to him, or someone is missing their keys, meaning they were stolen, misplaced or lost. A report of missing keys would have left the jail personnel on alert that an inmate might be planning something. The jail should have been put on lockdown and the facility searched for the keys. Handcuff keys, like anyother keys can be simply misplaced, but in a prison, there can be serious repercussions. It's not like losing your car keys.

The clothing came from somewhere. Again, either someone managed to get them to him or he got them from another inmate or even from Property somehow. He might have gotten hold of the clothes and then worn them under his orange jumpsuit. The question will be, where did he get them.

The room he was visiting in should have been searched at least visually before he went into the room. If this was done, and the keys and clothing placed before the lawyer came in, they should have been found. If the room was scanned, and nothing found, it might implicate the lawyer. The lawyer may not be involved, it's just a thought.

A deputy should have been available to immediately escort Thompson from the visitation room to his cell. Obviously, he was left alone after visitation for a period of time long enough to get out of the handcuffs, change clothes, and make his escape. No, a deputy probably would not have been in the room with him and his attorney. But a deputy should have been outside waiting to escort him back to his cell.

I haven't heard what time Thompson made his escape, but he could have timed it for shift change, and/or when visitors were moving around. He could have blended in when things get a little hectic.

The ID badge wasn't checked as it should have been. A closer look would have shown the tape covered his inmate status.

It's possible that Thompson simply took advantage of opportunities. Opportunities to get the keys and clothing and secure them in his cell until the opportunity presented itself to make his escape. It's possible that he wore the clothing under his jumpsuit anytime he was out of his cell waiting for the right time. This time he found all the right holes and breeches of procedure that allowed him to escape.

I work in a jail, and although I'm not certified, I understand how this could have been avoided, and also how it could have happened. Officer complacency, failure to follow procedures, and opportunities presented and taken.

It should never have happened, especially with a death row inmate, but things like this do happen, everyday. Now is the time for Harris County to review it's procedures, see what happened, correct the deficiencies that allowed this to happen and to do what they can to be sure this doesn't happen again.

I imagine that disciplinary actions will be taken from suspensions to out-right firing. Who will get what will depend on the results of the investigation. Since this did involve a death row inmate, I would guess someone will be fired. I can guarantee that (nearly if not) every jail and prison in the country will be talking about this at muster and meetings and reminding staff that this can happen here. That procedures must be followed and complacency cannot be allowed because this can happen. I can guarantee that it's already being discussed at Harris County.

Update: Thompson was captured in Shreveport LA on Sunday. He will be arraigned in Shreveport and then, if he waives extradition, will be returned to Texas immediately.