Robert Crissman

KITTANNING — Several policy failures and deficiencies at the Armstrong County Jail led to the escape of an inmate this summer, according to a report by the Armstrong County District Attorney’s Office.

The report, released Monday, was the end result of an investigation following the escape of inmate Robert E. Crissman, who walked out of an unlocked door at the prison on July 30 at about 6:30 a.m. While out of the jail, he allegedly fled to the home of Tammy Long and strangled and beat her to death before being caught several hours later.

After being caught, he was sent to the Butler County Prison.

Crissman was admitted to the jail on July 23 for a probation violation. He escaped while on a work release assignment called “tray duty.” The report concluded that there was nothing indicating that Crissman was an escape risk, but noted that he had a long criminal history and that a series of failures led to his escape.

The report said that the midnight to 8 a.m. shift at the jail is understaffed, with eight corrections officers. All other shifts have 10 officers working. Officers working the night shift have indicated that they want more officers scheduled during that time, particularly from 6 to 8 a.m. when a lot of activity takes place.

The report notes that Crissman was not drug tested when he was admitted to the jail, there was no detox program to help him with his heroin addiction and signs of withdrawal were not documented. According to the report, inmates interviewed during the investigation noted that Crissman looked “dope sick” during the week leading up to his escape.

Additionally, the report said Crissman was approved for “trustee” and work release status less than a week after being admitted, and said there should have been a longer period of time before he was approved to make sure he no longer was showing symptoms of withdrawal.

The report also indicated that there was no formal process for Crissman to go on “trustee” status, saying he only was admitted to that because he said he had done it in the past and had “never been a problem.” His recent drug use, withdrawal and history of non-compliance when it comes to substance abuse issues were not taken into consideration, the report said.

Inmates on “tray duty” routinely were allowed to prop open a door with bricks and were admitted to be outside without corrections officers present, according to the report. Additionally, the report said work release inmates — including Crissman in this case — often volunteer for tray duty.

Inmates in the program also wear dark green uniforms, tennis shoes and T-shirts under their uniforms. The report notes that the jail is located in a wooded area, and dark green almost acts like camouflage. The report said this has been noted in the past, but the uniforms stayed in place for cost savings.

Tennis shoes made it easier for Crissman to run, and he took off his green jail shirt to reveal his T-shirt, making it appear to to Long that he was wearing normal clothing.

The report also said the jail’s “walkaway” policy — which covers work release inmates who walk off or do not return to the prison — is inadequate as far as notifying outside authorities and the public. Under the policy, the inmate’s shift supervisor notified the warden and deputy warden before notifying the sheriff and 911.

“Crissman arrived at the victim’s residence most likely before the jail even contacted 911 to notify them of Crissman’s escape,” the report said.

The report recommended that several immediate changes should take place at the jail — including additional corrections officers on the night shift, implementing a detox program, creating more specific protocols for the “trustee” program, stamping undershirts with some sort of jail identification, banning outside footwear and making 911 the first call following an escape.