In a related article (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/29/nyregion/joyce-mitchell-prison-worker-..., Ms. Mitchell will still be receiving a state pension. After helping two felons escape, plus the cost of the manhunt it took to recapture at least one of them, why should she?
9
Rather than add to the already staggering cost this woman has caused the taxpayers by now incarcerating her, wouldn't it be better to simply fire her and deny her a pension?
5
What if they really loved each other? Would it then make the story different? Maybe not what we can handle within the current system.
1
She is an adult, she showed extremely poor behavior. I may sound harsh but I have little empathy for her. She made bad choices and has to live with the consequences as do the taxpayers of NY. Thankfully, no one else became victim to these urchins while they were on the loose. If she were a man the punishment would be more severe. She's lucky to get seven years.
4
How easy it is to simply dismiss this woman as week emotionally. A 'benefit of a doubt' response that is also given to cops who commit acts of criminality and then lie about it. I will jump to a conclusion and say that the sentiment is easily offered when the person is Caucasian, mainly because of how we're encultured. If the woman had been minority helping minorities escape, attitudes would be completely different...about the woman. I'm not attacking or supporting her...she is who she is and did what she did and it is what it is. I'm simply stating the unconscious hypocrisy that exists in judgement of this. Even the article paints the woman as a soft-spoken married, woman who seemed to be manipulated.
10
I'm more interested in the human side of the story. The news report tends to cast it as something unambiguously wrong or evil, but I'm actually moved by the woman's statements: she wanted a different life; he made her feel special. She could be anyone among us, and she's not crazy. I somehow understand what she might have gone through emotionally. This is stuff of great literature or movies. Any aspiring writes or directors who would like to explore it?
6
You are so far off. I have worked with the Department of Corrections for 19 years and all she did was allow a con to play her. Placing her co-workers and the public in danger. 7 years isn't enough. I always tell new female staff if men are not telling you how beautiful you are outside of the prison than you are no prettier in here.
22
These guys were cold blooded murderers, a matter of public record, she should be tried for murder conspiracy of her husband, getting two lunatics pipes drained and unleashing them on the general public.
Maybe Dean Coontz or Stephen King style but great isn't the word I'd use, more like disgusting. If you ever wondered what scumbag meant, look no further.
Maybe Dean Coontz or Stephen King style but great isn't the word I'd use, more like disgusting. If you ever wondered what scumbag meant, look no further.
6
I am surprised to see so many comments excusing this person's reprehensible behavior.
She knowingly helped two hardened killers escape. It doesn't matter how psychologically damaged she was, how vulnerable she was, or how much she needed attention in her marriage. What she did was not only wrong, but dangerous for her community. The End. To those who are saying this is not "black and white", I disagree. This was clearly wrong.
She deserves to go to prison, and I hope she has the book thrown at her. I'm sure that her thorough cooperation, however, will result in some mitigation of the sentence and that's also appropriate.
Whether a change in the training and screening for the NYS prison system's employees is needed, is another debate.
She knowingly helped two hardened killers escape. It doesn't matter how psychologically damaged she was, how vulnerable she was, or how much she needed attention in her marriage. What she did was not only wrong, but dangerous for her community. The End. To those who are saying this is not "black and white", I disagree. This was clearly wrong.
She deserves to go to prison, and I hope she has the book thrown at her. I'm sure that her thorough cooperation, however, will result in some mitigation of the sentence and that's also appropriate.
Whether a change in the training and screening for the NYS prison system's employees is needed, is another debate.
25
In this saga of the prison escape, we've heard a lot from Joyce Mitchell. What does her husband have to say to all the drama that has unfolded? I sincerely empathize with him. No one would want to be in his shoes, now or ever, even not himself.
7
It's an icky story. But I get it. We want attention, to feel special, to feel wanted to be part of something exciting. Especially as we get to a certain age. She made a series of awful choices with terrible consequences at great cost to many. She should absolutely pay a price and be penalized. And she deserves some small measure of understanding and compassion.
9
Let's make a movie about this! It could be a romantic comedy with a criminal twist.
1
Not much comedy here.
5
It seems for some deviants, there is always an attempt to gain insight into their psyche and understand why they committed the act no matter how heinous. Must be nice.
1
I worked 10 years in corrections, starting out as a correction officer. I am not completely surprised that this happened, though it does pain me to read the details. Boundaries between staff and inmates are important, sometimes they get crossed, in this case with terrible results. Ms. Mitchell should be punished severely for what she has done. But I can't believe that no one else on staff uncovered this escape attempt. No bed checks? Didn't anyone hear anything. Ms. Mitchell may not be the only one criminally involved. If that cannot be proved, at the very least more than a couple staff should be fired. And that's just in the institution. There are central office types whose job it is to assure that standards are being met in the various facilities. They weren't doing their job and should be fired as well. In fact, if I were the governor, I would have fired the commissioner already.
30
Just plain sad that she allowed herself to be manipulated by the two criminals. She ruined her life.
5
In New York State, state prisoners are deemed incapable of consenting to a sexual act. As such, sex with a prisoner, even at the prisoner's behest, is forcible rape and can be charged as such. That is one very serious felony she was not charged with. It is usually a local prosecutor's discretion as which charges to bring. Her defense counsel got an outstanding result from the defendant's point of view. That fact that a death did occur, inmate or not, and another was critically shot, are serious considerations and, while not directly resulting, did in large part result from her felony. It may be a stretch, but a death occurring in the course of a felony, even if a co-perpetrator, is a chargeable homicide. On my scales, she got off easy.
18
A sad human story of midlife boredom in a small prison town led to fantasy and dreams of a new, different life until reality sets in and ends the dream in prison.
"We have lingered by the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed in seaweeds red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown."
"We have lingered by the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed in seaweeds red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown."
10
She is sorry? She had better be. No matter what the reason, her behavior is unconscionable. She faces two-and-a-third seven years in prison. Is this punishment enough for aiding and abetting two violent murderers escape? What if the killers had killed after their escape? Would it still be 7 years? This is certainly not punishment befitting the crime especially when you have juvenile non-violent drug offenders doing 20 years. Justice is definitely not blind !!
17
I too find the focus on the cost to taxpayers in many comments a bit odd. If sentences or even bringing charges bore any relation to monetary cost, we should have a lot more bankers and such in prison. Not saying she is innocent, but just saying...
10
These infatuations happen all the time, even among educated women who may be a prisoner's attorney.
When you interact with a someone every day it's easy to forget about a crime they committed years before.
She broke the law and her life is over, but ultimately her story is a human one.
When you interact with a someone every day it's easy to forget about a crime they committed years before.
She broke the law and her life is over, but ultimately her story is a human one.
8
She must have had an extremely low self esteem to have become involved with these two killers and believed their lies. I feel sorry for her husband and children to have such a pathetic woman in the family. It is a miracle that no innocent lives were lost due to her stupidity. If there had been, she would be looking at a much longer prison sentence which she truly deserves. Hopefully this will deter other prison employees from getting involved with inmates in which they come in contact on a daily basis.
5
I am sure Ms. Mitchell is sorry for what she did, but not as sorry as she will become. She will have to cope with the fact that she probably condoned the murder of her husband, the father of her 3 children and put them at risk as well. I don't care how long her sentence might be but I do hope that she is given mental health care while in prison and I hope Mr. Mitchell and the children, especially the children are properly helped.
9
First of all, this piece interested me because after all it had happened right here in New York. I chose this article for my English assignment because I honestly wanted to know what happened, I had no idea she was this involved in the escape. I think she should have been charged more heavily, I mean she did help two prisoners escape from a high security prison. Also, I don't understand why she would even do this in the first place. She's a married woman, by doing this she probably ruined her marriage and she ultimately just ruined her life. In my opinion it was a stupid thing to do, no matter how attracted she was to him she should not have done it. Lastly, she's "really sorry" for what she has done? I don't think sorry fixes everything that happened, with all of the officers working day and night to find the escapees that she allowed to get out, and all of the money that was put into finding them. But in the end, I'm glad they were caught and I'm also glad that she confessed. I still think that there's more people involved though that just haven't confessed yet.
4
It's ridiculous that this woman was put in charge of these criminals. What a pathetic story of manipulation that led to their escape, and what a waste of a million dollars a day tracking them down.
3
Since she was clearly a co-conspirator and affirmatively aided the escape plan she could have been charged with murder.
5
Stephen - I assume you mean the murder of Matt, since no one else died. Why would she be charged with murder, when the officer who shot him wasn't?
1
A scary, fascinating look at how two ruthless sociopaths groomed a pathetic, stupid, vulnerable person who had access to what they wanted - means to escape.
Perhaps the inmates' pragmatic approach to 'getting rid of The Glitch" finally penetrated the fantasy they had woven around her, and she understood that they would just as pragmatically get rid of her as soon as she'd served her function.
What a monumental waste all around.
Perhaps the inmates' pragmatic approach to 'getting rid of The Glitch" finally penetrated the fantasy they had woven around her, and she understood that they would just as pragmatically get rid of her as soon as she'd served her function.
What a monumental waste all around.
7
I'm sorry her Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid fantasy didn't work out. I am outraged with some of the sympathetic reader's comments. I'm certain the comments would be different had she been a black male or woman. Not much sympathy would be given to white male either. I'm tired of the white woman privilege card. She should have been charged with sexual assault. Didn't she have all the power?
12
The difference being most people who are sexually assaulted don't request it, as prisoner Matt did in this case, requesting oral sex from her.
A 14-year-old can initiate sex with a teacher or other adult with power over him/her, but that doesn't change the fact that such a person is considered incapable of giving genuine consent.
1
In NY state, state prisoners are deemed incapable of consenting to a sexual act. As such, sex with a prisoner even at the prisoner's behest, is forcible rape and can be charged as such.
3
When I heard this woman speak on the day of the jail break. I thought that there was more to this story than the way it appeared. She says that she still stands by the position that she took that day. With this in mind, I am a bit wary of her future statements, especially about her relationship with the dead guy, and her guarded statements about Mr. Sweat, who is still alive, in custody of those who may wish him harm before the trial.
1
“Inmate Matt was going to kill ‘the Glitch,’ (i.e. her husband)” Ms. Mitchell said.
She did, did she? And at no time did she feel the need to inform the authorities of this.
Did she not used to drive to and from the prison with her husband, who worked in the same tailor’s shop as her?
I wonder how those drive time conversations went. He: “what did you do today, dear?”…
She did, did she? And at no time did she feel the need to inform the authorities of this.
Did she not used to drive to and from the prison with her husband, who worked in the same tailor’s shop as her?
I wonder how those drive time conversations went. He: “what did you do today, dear?”…
8
Sadly this happens all too often. Most correctional facilities provide adequate training in this area. I've worked in corrections (education) the last ten years. We get hundreds of hours of on-line as well as class room based training. I work with low level offenders in a short stay treatment oriented program; yet still it has happened. Employees have been contravened by incarcerated offenders.
The sad truth is, there are fifteen of them for every one of us. Which group do you think has the dominant subculture?
The sad truth is, there are fifteen of them for every one of us. Which group do you think has the dominant subculture?
4
What a disgusting woman. She sounds like a gullible 14 year old girl. You helped two murderers escape because you were made to feel good? I hope she gets the maximum allowable.
13
I had the "pleasure" of visiting an inmate at Clinton after his mother, a dear friend, passed away. As a maximum security prison, it is appalling the anyone was able to get out. I also visited other NYS prisons as a result of becoming trustee of my friend's estate. Believe me when I say that whatever you want to send to a prisoner, you can do through one of the guards.Anything goes just by adding a few bucks to whatever the prisoner requests. I am appalled at the light sentence Ms. Mitchell is receiving in light of the severity of her crime, the potential crimes that could have resulted from her crime, including murder, and the costs involved. Among the many changes needed in our prison system is to make sure we mete out punishment to those who are supposedly overseeing the prisoners. Fair punishment.
27
When I read about the breakout, I was sure it would end in the death of innocent people who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was a terrible situation, but at least no innocent bystanders or law enforcement personnel were killed.
7
How strange that none of the other prison guards noticed the budding relationship between Mitchell, Matt and Sweat. Surely there were subtle clues, such as more conversations than is normal. Guards and prisoners are not supposed to have that much in common to talk about. And the whole thing about smuggling a saw in frozen beef is way over the top, especially with the excuse that it was the tubes of paint that set off the alarm. Newer tubes of oil paint are now manufactured to look like a silver metal but are really a plastic material. I think many people were asleep at the wheel at the Clinton Correctional Facility. I think there were more people than Ms Mitchell involved in the breakout too.
38
"...Mr. Sweat had been separated from Ms. Mitchell in September after prison officials suspected “an inappropriate relationship," as stated in the article.
4
It's like her brain -- swayed by sweet comments and attention -- finally kicked in that night because the panic attack indicates she HAD to know at some deep, gut level that they'd kill her immediately.
11
I am a woman who formerly worked in a NY federal correctional institution in the psychiatric dept. I find it very hard to believe that Ms. Mitchell was not schooled immediately on not having inappropriate relations with inmates. All new employees who were not corrections officers like Ms. Mitchell were trained on day one to never answer any personal questions inmates may ask you, never volunteer any information at all about yourself and never ever do any favors for an inmate. We were told that any piece of even seemingly innocuous information can and will be used against you by an inmate. To ignore this advice would be to put yourself in peril. Her lack of judgment and concern even for herself just baffles the mind.
60
I'm sorry - but this goes on in almost every prison where members of the opposite sex are. It is common knowledge that gangs get weapons and drugs in prison by "turning out" one or more of the female guards.
3
Mimi, it is possible that she did not receive the training you did. Between hard to believe that she wasn't trained, and baffled that she did what she did, there's not much to base an opinion on, one way or the other.
2
Andre, look up Sarah Jo Pender, who escaped from prison with the help of a male guard. It's not only female guards who get turned.
1
I can certainly empathize with this desperate woman who somehow lost her way in life. However, this story brings to mind the countless lost , misguided and vulnerable people with far fewer resources than Ms Mitchell who are serving much longer sentences than she will endure for non- violent, crimes. There is a heartless lack of mercy and recognition of human potential in our judicial system. Warehousing non-violent offenders rather than offering guidance and true opportunity is an irresponsible waste of money and humanity.
11
I actually feel sorry for her. Had she showed up to pick-up Richard Matt and David Sweat, she most likely would have ended up dead. That's the problem with sociopaths - they are capable of great feigned empathy to get what they need, only to discard her (literally) after she was of no use to them. This should be made into a blockbuster movie so the taxpayers can be reimbursed for the spectacular costs of a three week manhunt. I will even go see the movie, as a New York taxpayer ... I might as well get some entertainment from the huge expense incurred!
5
I can think of many others who cost the taxpayers more money than this woman, who engage in illegal, unethical, dishonest activities. Currently they haven't been prosecuted, have mansions, villas, and avoid paying taxes.
I believe a large number of them are within several blocks and kilometers of the NYT office.
I believe a large number of them are within several blocks and kilometers of the NYT office.
15
How does one fall in love with a convicted murderer in prison? I mean, if the guy was really innocent and was framed, I can see it happening. But this guy doesn't seem to be an "Innocence Project" alumnus.
5
Why is a married woman engaged in deep conversations with other men?
2
I guess the warden didn't get the memo: "Orange is the new black!"
Prison stripes, right out of the chain gang or Cool Hand Luke, so 20th Century.
"What we have here is failure to communicate." No, it's the consequences part that starry-eyed Ms. Mitchell didn't quite sort out. Who will play her in the Netflix or HBO version? Any ideas?
Prison stripes, right out of the chain gang or Cool Hand Luke, so 20th Century.
"What we have here is failure to communicate." No, it's the consequences part that starry-eyed Ms. Mitchell didn't quite sort out. Who will play her in the Netflix or HBO version? Any ideas?
2
According to the article, Ms. Mitchell is facing a two-and-a-third to seven year sentence. But, many people seem to think that she should be sentenced to a much longer term, not because she assisted in the escape, but because the state had to spend significant funds to search for and find the escapees. But, whether she serves one year or 30 years, that money is gone and will never be repaid.
The sentence is for breaking the law and helping the prisoners escape. It's not for repayment of funds. If she spends 30 in prison, will taxpayers then feel that it's ok their funds were spent in this way? I suspect the answer is no. Taxpayers still won't have what they want, which appears to be the return of their tax dollars. Is there a point at which taxpayers will say, "Ok, I'm satisfied now. My tax money has been repaid with Ms. Mitchell's time"?
The sentence is for breaking the law and helping the prisoners escape. It's not for repayment of funds. If she spends 30 in prison, will taxpayers then feel that it's ok their funds were spent in this way? I suspect the answer is no. Taxpayers still won't have what they want, which appears to be the return of their tax dollars. Is there a point at which taxpayers will say, "Ok, I'm satisfied now. My tax money has been repaid with Ms. Mitchell's time"?
9
I feel great sadness for this woman who was duped by two uncaring but suave men. Obviously, she was lonely and depressed and jumped at the chance to do something meaningful and change her life. Unfortunately, she lacked any sense of judgement whatsoever and chose actions which were very ill-advised.
In consequence, she loses a very good job, will probably lose her NYS pension as a felon, and will spend jail time where she can be the supervised person sewing.
Living only about 60 miles from Dannemora, I can say that judges here are pretty conservative. I would suspect that she will receive some prison time followed by community service. And her prison time will not be fun for her.
As to the expense NY is paying for the manhunt? First, these guys were pretty smart. They probably were grooming other guards and "civilian" staff as well and most likely would have tried to escape sooner or later, no matter how long it took them to get what they needed. Second, this episode certainly made it clear that training and updated training, as well as psychological reviews and interviews were sorely missing. Finally, she must have been very very desperate for something, because she gave up a terrific job with very good pay, her freedom, probably her husband and at least some family members and never figured out that these two were convicted murderers who would not even blink at killing her after her usefulness was past.
In consequence, she loses a very good job, will probably lose her NYS pension as a felon, and will spend jail time where she can be the supervised person sewing.
Living only about 60 miles from Dannemora, I can say that judges here are pretty conservative. I would suspect that she will receive some prison time followed by community service. And her prison time will not be fun for her.
As to the expense NY is paying for the manhunt? First, these guys were pretty smart. They probably were grooming other guards and "civilian" staff as well and most likely would have tried to escape sooner or later, no matter how long it took them to get what they needed. Second, this episode certainly made it clear that training and updated training, as well as psychological reviews and interviews were sorely missing. Finally, she must have been very very desperate for something, because she gave up a terrific job with very good pay, her freedom, probably her husband and at least some family members and never figured out that these two were convicted murderers who would not even blink at killing her after her usefulness was past.
3
Don't forget the three children.
I think we need some humility about supervision issues. When it comes to psychotherapists there are outlets to discuss in confidential ways, inappropriate liaisons and certainly difficult fantasies. And still it is hard to go, and hard to recognize what can come to be addictive feelings that can lead to addictive actions.
We have to be open to the variety of stories that are told and acted out, which we too easily condemn only. By so doing we miss the opportunity to get at more of the truth and help people stop from sliding into very slippery territory.
We have to be open to the variety of stories that are told and acted out, which we too easily condemn only. By so doing we miss the opportunity to get at more of the truth and help people stop from sliding into very slippery territory.
2
If this isn't fodder for an A-List movie I don't know what is. Two killers. A lonely middle-aged woman. The wronged husband. Sex. Drugs. Guns. An escape. A capture. Repentance. Someone is probably writing it now.
6
As long as we continue to privatize our prison systems, we will not have the kind of oversight needed to prevent these situations. It has been shown that privatizing is often much more costly to the state than hiring, training and maintaining such facilities at the state or federal level. But, when these facilities are in private hands the state is no longer liable and is "off the hook" for abuse and escapes, and the citizenry has no control over accountability.
7
New York State Prisons are not privatized.
1
Thanks, Veronica. We live in a part of the country where most of them are ...and I think it is a real problem. At least New York State will have options in dealing with the shortcomings.
I appreciate your clarification.
I appreciate your clarification.
1
Was this prison privatized?
1
To add insult to injury, the taxpayers will have to pay this woman's pension, after she gets out of prison, even though a pension is earned by doing your job, which she clearly did not do.
The cost to society could have been far worse than the millions already spent, but this is what happens when one sociopath meets another.
The cost to society could have been far worse than the millions already spent, but this is what happens when one sociopath meets another.
4
Aren't people supposed to lose their pensions and other bennies once incarcerated for a felony?
3
seduced and abandoned
2
If Joyce Mitchell were a man, let alone a black or hispanic man, we would not be hearing weepy tales of low self-esteen or manipulation or her 'humanity'. She aided and abetted two dangerous felons, agreed to have her husband murdered and arguably used her position of power to commit sexual assault.
Reverse the genders and Joyce Mitchell is getting off far too easily because of systemic prejudice.
Reverse the genders and Joyce Mitchell is getting off far too easily because of systemic prejudice.
14
These guys are variously called "psychopaths" or "sociopaths". The technical term is "antisocial personality disorder".
In my law practice, I met a few. They are incredibly charming and believable. If you have not heard a lot of explanations for deviant behavior, you can fall for their stories. When you buy into them, you will first do some small favors, then some bigger favors, until you are so far into their schemes that you are trapped.
Sure, Ms. Mitchell will face the consequences. And she should. But part of the cure is to better train prison workers to follow the rules, and to rotate their jobs so that no long lasting relationships can develop. Then we hope.
In my law practice, I met a few. They are incredibly charming and believable. If you have not heard a lot of explanations for deviant behavior, you can fall for their stories. When you buy into them, you will first do some small favors, then some bigger favors, until you are so far into their schemes that you are trapped.
Sure, Ms. Mitchell will face the consequences. And she should. But part of the cure is to better train prison workers to follow the rules, and to rotate their jobs so that no long lasting relationships can develop. Then we hope.
89
What a travesty. Where's the justice? She received a slap on the wrist sentence for a major pre-meditated crime, while minor drug offenses can carry life? And when blacks are sometimes summarily executed for anything or nothing?
8
Deception, betrayal, cruelty, psychopathy, lust, weakness, fear, opportunism, resentment, envy, violence, etc. What did Hobbes say? Something about force and fraud? Hard to generalize, though, on the basis of a few bad apples, a pessimistic political philosopher, and human history.
1
Am I missing something? There was talk of murdering the husband, so why isn't a conspiracy to commit murder charge pending?
18
NY Times should point out that Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell pointed out the safety conditions of this prison via a memo to the the Governor. Gov Cuomo ignored all correspondences.
11
Why are prisoners allowed to be kept in the same cell for months or years on end? Rotating the cells periodically could certainly thwart escape plans that centered on a single exit point.
20
While I have no sympathy for Ms. Mitchell who knowingly and recklessly chose to aid two vicious killers escape and should face the full brunt of the law for her complicity, I can understand her motivations behind helping these murderers. What's for sure is the marital bed didn't meet her expectations and frisson must be absent in her conjugal life.
We can never know nor presume to know what goes in the life of a couple within the four walls of the bedroom. Could it be the romance that once drew her to her husband has leached away? Did the bond of love that drew them together come unglued? Are they marching to the beat of different drummers while living under the same roof? Was she bored with her humdrum life and needed a spark to rekindle the love that had faded by ministering to (maybe ) her own fantasies with a discreet sexual fling with a proverbial macho "bad boy" many women secretly desire? Otherwise, how do you explain why she agreed to fulfil Matt’s desire for “oral sex,” and then “groped his genitals in several instances, using a large prison coat to disguise their activities?” She also said she “took sexually charged photos for Mr. Sweat and wrote him provocative notes.”
Sad as it is, she fully deserves her own jail time, but she also needs serious counseling; perhaps that might lead the way towards healing the festering sore inside her empty soul.
We can never know nor presume to know what goes in the life of a couple within the four walls of the bedroom. Could it be the romance that once drew her to her husband has leached away? Did the bond of love that drew them together come unglued? Are they marching to the beat of different drummers while living under the same roof? Was she bored with her humdrum life and needed a spark to rekindle the love that had faded by ministering to (maybe ) her own fantasies with a discreet sexual fling with a proverbial macho "bad boy" many women secretly desire? Otherwise, how do you explain why she agreed to fulfil Matt’s desire for “oral sex,” and then “groped his genitals in several instances, using a large prison coat to disguise their activities?” She also said she “took sexually charged photos for Mr. Sweat and wrote him provocative notes.”
Sad as it is, she fully deserves her own jail time, but she also needs serious counseling; perhaps that might lead the way towards healing the festering sore inside her empty soul.
5
My God, this is sad. To think that in 2015 with feminism, and equality people are still so one sided and biased. Why is it that only woman can be "manipulated ", but men are opportunist who cheat on their wives, and betray their family. Can you imagine if it was a man having sex with 2 female inmates, sentenced for murder, and helping them escape. I suspect she was not afraid for her husband ,but rather afraid that she would be murdered in the woods, so she didn't show up. 2 to 7 years? Luckily no truly innocent people were harmed as a result of the stupidity from this selfish, cheating woman
9
She will likely be sentenced to the minimum of 2-1/3 years, said the authorities.
She helped 2 murderers escape, and she will get only that much? Even the maximum of 7 years is too little. She's been charged only with contraband violations....ridiculous!
Helps a lot to be a woman, and to be able to go "oh, that mean ol' man tricked me, and scared me, so you should go easy on me." The saddest thing is, it works!
She helped 2 murderers escape, and she will get only that much? Even the maximum of 7 years is too little. She's been charged only with contraband violations....ridiculous!
Helps a lot to be a woman, and to be able to go "oh, that mean ol' man tricked me, and scared me, so you should go easy on me." The saddest thing is, it works!
12
If a male prison guard got oral sex from a prisoner - male OR female - that would be a sexual assault. So why isn't this?
15
It is. She agreed to plead guilty to avoid a charge of sexual assault and also to avoid being charged with a separate crime for each instance of bringing contraband into the prison.
1
Behind the intensely personal nature of Joyce Mitchell's sordid involvement in this prison escape there is a vast landscape of our so-called "correctional" system in which thousands of (hopefully) normal, functional employees spend each and every day of their working lives in lock-down facilities in close contact with those whom our society has cast out.
Question for NYT readers: How many of you are close friends with even one prison guard or employee? Not me.
My point is that no one wants to think about what happens in our prisons. Those who work there must endure day after day of the grim reality that they are being paid for supervising caged human beings. No one on the outside wants to hear about the dreary daily lives of captives - until, of course, something juicy happens, like an escape, or a riot, and then our prurient interests are suddenly piqued.
Commentary on this story runs from the judgmental ("Joyce Mitchell is a criminal and she's stupid") to the sympathetic ("Her capitulation and rapid guilty plea say a lot about her mental state, and I hope her sentence is commensurate with the remorse she has expressed"). But essentially none of us knows what Joyce Mitchell really went through, because we don't want to know.
Question for NYT readers: How many of you are close friends with even one prison guard or employee? Not me.
My point is that no one wants to think about what happens in our prisons. Those who work there must endure day after day of the grim reality that they are being paid for supervising caged human beings. No one on the outside wants to hear about the dreary daily lives of captives - until, of course, something juicy happens, like an escape, or a riot, and then our prurient interests are suddenly piqued.
Commentary on this story runs from the judgmental ("Joyce Mitchell is a criminal and she's stupid") to the sympathetic ("Her capitulation and rapid guilty plea say a lot about her mental state, and I hope her sentence is commensurate with the remorse she has expressed"). But essentially none of us knows what Joyce Mitchell really went through, because we don't want to know.
9
Mr. Nunn, I wrote a comment last night which has not been published, even after a friendly follow up appeal. The comment was based upon my own experience of over a decade in one of these facilities and as a citizen in a community which has already felt the unforeseen consequences of the so called nonviolent offender early release experiment. Evidently our moderator is more interested other facets of a make believe narrative added by their readers here. Fine, In the the future I will be spending more of my time reading here and less time wasting my vision on writing construction.
2
You can't make this stuff up.
8
By her conduct, this woman not only cost the taxpayers millions of dollars but also put innocent lives at risk. There men were murderers, not white collar criminals. It's a miracle that no one was killed during this little escapade. It seems to me that the applicable the prison term does not reflect the conduct and the potential danger this woman created.
30
Threw her life away
2
It was all a fantasy. And then the time came, and suddenly it wasn't. Now the comment she made early on makes sense, that she couldn't go through with it because she loved her husband. At least she loved him enough not to want him murdered. And perhaps, finally, at the end she understood how she had been used.
6
I understand the rush to say "ban women from working in prisons," but I think that's a mistake. What percent of women who work in prisons are guilty of aiding an escape? It's wrong to take economic opportunities off the table for an entire gender because of one rotten female apple.
5
Thank you. And I want to see an article about the men who helped, too.
3
It's not one. Female guards sneak contraband and hide weapons in prisons all the time for ones they are attracted to. This is not isolated.
Yeah, and what are they going to when similar cases, but involving homosexual relationships, come to light, as they inevitably will?
1
“I was caught up in the fantasy,” she said. “I enjoyed the attention, the feeling both of them gave me, and the thought of a different life.”
How many crimes are perpetrated for exactly the reason Joyce Mitchell cites?
It's lonely sometimes when life becomes routine, when you feel invisible. In my opinion, she probably knew she was skating on the edge. But the lure of the fantasy kept her moving forward with the plan until suddenly something clicked and she backed out.
It's a blessing no one was killed during the escape or the weeks while the prisoners were on the lam.
How many crimes are perpetrated for exactly the reason Joyce Mitchell cites?
It's lonely sometimes when life becomes routine, when you feel invisible. In my opinion, she probably knew she was skating on the edge. But the lure of the fantasy kept her moving forward with the plan until suddenly something clicked and she backed out.
It's a blessing no one was killed during the escape or the weeks while the prisoners were on the lam.
37
Nothing clicked. She had a panic attack and had to be taken to the ER.
I guess prisoners are given Crocs to wear. I'm going to rethink buying them for my kids.
2
She gets a state pension? That's insane! Why? How much is it? Is the state going to at least surcharge it for the expenses of the manhunt?
7
Re: throwing the book at Ms. Mitchell:
Too many readers are worrying about maximizing society's vengeance on the one hand or sympathizing with her personal issues in the other.
Look at this more coldly: what's best for all the rest of us. The sentencing system should reflect our needs, not her's and not some lynch mob's.
Revenge is expensive -- 15 years, 30 years -- that costs us all a lot of money. This woman's already cost us too much.
She's not going to threaten society again. A lighter sentence will still be enough to deter other prison workers in the future. It will cost the taxpayers much less - hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions.
Too many readers are worrying about maximizing society's vengeance on the one hand or sympathizing with her personal issues in the other.
Look at this more coldly: what's best for all the rest of us. The sentencing system should reflect our needs, not her's and not some lynch mob's.
Revenge is expensive -- 15 years, 30 years -- that costs us all a lot of money. This woman's already cost us too much.
She's not going to threaten society again. A lighter sentence will still be enough to deter other prison workers in the future. It will cost the taxpayers much less - hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions.
2
What training is given to prison employees to resist these type of commonplace tactics used by the escapees here in order to suborn Ms. Mitchell? The training, if any, obviously needs to be improved, not just in New York, but also nationwide, because many prisoners spend their time looking for a weak link in the system.
2
I cringe at some of these comments. People are human and they make stupid mistakes. This woman fell for the oldest trick in the book. Not the first time and it will not be the last time. But don't blame the system. The system is made up of humans and we ALL keep making mistakes and doing things that are dumb. Most of the time it does not matter. In this case, it did.
Now, she is paying the price. Jail and, I hope, she loses her job and her pension. But don't blame NY state for this. It could have happened anywhere and it will happen again, in some form or another.
Now, she is paying the price. Jail and, I hope, she loses her job and her pension. But don't blame NY state for this. It could have happened anywhere and it will happen again, in some form or another.
14
I definitely do blame NY State for this. Not for Ms. Mitchell's personal weaknesses, but for all the mismanagement and lapses in security procedures that contributed to the escapes.
She committed an extraordinarily serious crime. The potential consequences were great; the men she helped free were murderers, who were planning to kill again; it is fortunate they did not.
A tremendous amount of money was spent capturing the men she helped free, and New York has many pressing needs that could have used those funds.
I'm sorry; hers is a sad story. But people are responsible for their actions. She is getting off too easy, especially if she serves the low end of her sentence.
A tremendous amount of money was spent capturing the men she helped free, and New York has many pressing needs that could have used those funds.
I'm sorry; hers is a sad story. But people are responsible for their actions. She is getting off too easy, especially if she serves the low end of her sentence.
5
See what a open mouth kiss can get you. Ha!
1
One of the first things that caught my eye was Ms.Mitchell's salary. $57,000 plus is a lot of money in upstate New York. I was envious. I could live and save quite comfortably on that salary. Then, I read that she will receive a state pension. Hmmm. I don't get one. I was under the impression that, at least for the time incarcerated, pensions are not issued.
So all that aside, this is, to me, is a situation of unresolved shame in Ms. Mitchell. Someone who has a shame-centered identity has very low self-esteem and regard for oneself. The good feelings of being admired, sought after, being important (by helping the inmates) become a fantasy in ones head about being able to take "center stage", feeling powerful (to help others). The excitement of a daring act like escape from a prison adds to the delusion of importance. Having no true self-care these folks, like Ms. Mitchell, often choose to have relationships with those who are broken (after all they do not deserve better). It is a similar case in domestic violence when the victimized partner will not leave.
So this is not a case of logic, or of 'thinking -- what am I doing here'. This is a situation of emotional bankruptcy, with no emotional strength to follow the rules on non-engagement so important in a prison.
Working in prisons I have seen this with women whose emotional foundation is less than', they then become filled with a sense of importance and awe, pushing rules and logic aside.
So all that aside, this is, to me, is a situation of unresolved shame in Ms. Mitchell. Someone who has a shame-centered identity has very low self-esteem and regard for oneself. The good feelings of being admired, sought after, being important (by helping the inmates) become a fantasy in ones head about being able to take "center stage", feeling powerful (to help others). The excitement of a daring act like escape from a prison adds to the delusion of importance. Having no true self-care these folks, like Ms. Mitchell, often choose to have relationships with those who are broken (after all they do not deserve better). It is a similar case in domestic violence when the victimized partner will not leave.
So this is not a case of logic, or of 'thinking -- what am I doing here'. This is a situation of emotional bankruptcy, with no emotional strength to follow the rules on non-engagement so important in a prison.
Working in prisons I have seen this with women whose emotional foundation is less than', they then become filled with a sense of importance and awe, pushing rules and logic aside.
5
Prisons run by intelligent species should be sexually segregated: that is, heterosexual men guard heterosexual and gay prisoners; heterosexual women guard heterosexual and gay women. The idea of having women guard men for 8 hours a day is as foolhardy. We are animals, after all.
7
The vast majority of us animals who choose corrections as a career handle working with inmates of the other sex professionally and appropriately.
I wonder why you assume that gays and lesbians don't work in corrections.
I wonder why you assume that gays and lesbians don't work in corrections.
This particular case is about voyeurism and prurience. If we can use that and the media attention from it to politicize and argue for true prison reform then good can come of it. Our system of incarceration does not rehabilitate nor even claim to anymore. Let's use this case (as we do others about other issues) to shift the focus to the ways in which our prisons do not work and toward other models of treating criminals; our current system is not the only one - past, present, and researched.
3
Had Joyce met the men, as planned, she would have surely been killed. She wasn't loved. She was a tool used for the escape and would have been a risk and liability afterwards. She'll have a long time to think about that when she serves her sentence. Do you think she understands what a fool she was?
34
Women of all ages go online and chat with serial killers all the time.
Children, both males and females, go online and chat with pedophiles all the time.
Older adults, both male and female, are conned all the time, and some are even murdered.
Young adult males often kill themselves with drunk driving and/or drugs.
All of us are fools at least some of the time, but some of us are bigger fools than other, and some of us have been lucky.
Children, both males and females, go online and chat with pedophiles all the time.
Older adults, both male and female, are conned all the time, and some are even murdered.
Young adult males often kill themselves with drunk driving and/or drugs.
All of us are fools at least some of the time, but some of us are bigger fools than other, and some of us have been lucky.
2
Good work New York Times and Jesse McKinley on the Freedom of Information Act request and reporting on the facts. Even the best writer would be hard pressed to create such a story. "What a piece of work is a man [and a woman]!"
4
Three things have come up in these comments that deserve emphasis. The first is that women should not be working in men's prisons and men should not be working in women's prisons. The second is that shifts should be rotated so relationships cannot form. And the third is about the power of sociopaths, many of whom populate the prisons -- until you've been under the spell of one, you have no idea how compelling they can be. You think you know, but you don't.
39
This woman thought she was in love with one of the inmates, and had a sexual relationship of sorts with him. You're assuming no man (straight, gay or bisexual) could possibly do the same; or help prisoners illegally for other reasons. Women have worked in men's prisons for a very long time withou a woman assisting in a break out. It appears she was not the only prison employe involved - the article refers to about a dozen (12) more who were involved. My guess is of that men were also involved. This woman is just the first to be publicly identified and charged.
5
Men can also be under the power of sociopaths, including sexually. Mae West, a worldly and wise person, had an expression, "You...can be had!" Even an all-male "straight" prison staff member could develop a sexual relationship with a prisoner; you have to be totally naive not to believe it possible.
As to the power of sociopaths, just look at Dick Cheney and a number of his family members.
As to the power of sociopaths, just look at Dick Cheney and a number of his family members.
3
"shifts should be rotated so relationships cannot form"
We allow unions and collective bargaining over working conditions. It is very difficult to get arbitrators to rule in favor of security over quality of life for employees and their families.
We allow unions and collective bargaining over working conditions. It is very difficult to get arbitrators to rule in favor of security over quality of life for employees and their families.
1
Her actions led to thousands of dollars wasted, the death of one inmate, and the wounding of another. Surely she deserves a long prison sentence, or is the white female privilege thing going to kick in?
7
I agree, but the law is the law. They can't sentence her to more time than what the crimes she has been charged with allow. I don't think that's a "white female privilege" thing...
1
I don't think she has the moral depth to be "sorry." I think she just regrets she made a lot of dumb mistakes and got herself in prison.
13
You have jumped to conclusions. I think that Ms. Mitchell is a person who was manipulated by two cons. She was naïve and obviously vulnerable. Prisoners watch for people with vulnerabilities and they do it for years because they have plenty of time to study the employees.
6
The justifications in these comments all come down to 'women are just so helpless, so we are never responsible for anything we do!'.
If people have been treating Ms. Mitchell with the kind of callous scorn I'm reading in most of these comments all her life, it's no wonder she was so needy and succumbed to the cynical charm of these guys.
14
I can't believe she could get as little as two plus years for this serious crime. She should be looking at ten or fifteen years.
Yes, it’s obvious that it was the judgmental, mean-spirited readers of the NYT who prompted her to plot the murder of her husband and help two violent felons escape. For shame, NYT fans!
1
Surely helping two murderers escape and costing the taxpayers millions deserves 'callous scorn'?
Or are women like children, not responsible for their choices?
Or are women like children, not responsible for their choices?
2
A term of 2-7 years is an insult. This woman's infatuation resulted in a prison break that cost millions of dollars and two weeks of fear for tens of thousands of residents in that area. And we're talking two years?
14
yeah, and her poor husband could have been a clueless collateral victim.
I was a bit surprised as well at the short term. Being generous, she was duped and used and most likely would have wound up murdered.
That having been said, these were not two guys in jail for drug possession or shoplifting. They were/are soul-less killers who should have been closely monitored when provided the privileges such as cooking their own meals or having enough privacy to get intimate. I am perplexed at why packages aren't physically searched if they are intended for inmates such as these.
Matt was well known as a lady's man according to reports. Why on earth wouldn't security closely monitor any female employees he had contact with?
That having been said, these were not two guys in jail for drug possession or shoplifting. They were/are soul-less killers who should have been closely monitored when provided the privileges such as cooking their own meals or having enough privacy to get intimate. I am perplexed at why packages aren't physically searched if they are intended for inmates such as these.
Matt was well known as a lady's man according to reports. Why on earth wouldn't security closely monitor any female employees he had contact with?
1
There is no evidence for this story that has been proven in any way shape or form nor will any of the so called evidence or any part of this story be investigated or will ever be investigated. But there is a claim that one prisoner is dead so where is the body, has the body been identified, has that body and identity been corroborated and is there an autopsy, and bodily sample to analyze by third parties, is there ballistic evidence for the death.
It's a tale as old as time, of how lonely hearts can easily be exploited.
23
too true
2
We're footing the bill for this, everybody. These ridiculous, dangerous, pathetic escapades carried out by these deeply stupid, demented people is our government at work. I'm beginning to question the wisdom of putting even violent criminals in prison. We have to come up with some other way of keeping the public safe and enforcing laws. Every aspect of our criminal justice system - from the thuggish police to the corrupt prosecutors to the ideologically driven judges to the hellish jails to these supposedly secure prisons in which the guards are indistinguishable from the inmates - is broken.
5
Could not have said it better. There are not just separate problems. It Is the systemic breakdown of a system, the stunning number of false convictions and life-threatening harassment of black Americans being the worst features. And as in almost all such cases, those responsible for the breakdown are the ones most blind to the flaws and most resistant to reform. Meaning, lawyers.
1
This brings to light another question regarding the Police Chief in the San Francisco (SF) murder of Kate Steinle by an illegal alien. Shouldn't the SF be punished for his stupidity or arrogance or law breaking? At minimum he should have notified the Federal authorities ICE that he planned to release this dangerous illegal felon onto the streets of SF if they didn't submit the paper work required to hold him to them as they requested. I think the SF police chief should be fired for what he did and also prosecuted for breaking Federal Laws. In NY luckily no one was murdered by the escaped convicts after they escaped.
5
Big system issues are highlighted by this mess. There are too many people in prison, Hence you have to have more prisons, hire more people. The potential employee pool gets diluted as it necessarily gets larger to satisfy demand. Throw in serious training and supervision issues, filter through the omnipresent political lens and I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.
6
The appealing thing, to me, is not that helped them escape, but that it was so easy for two felons to manipulate the system, escape, and remain at large for so long. I would hope that those who oversaw a system lax enough for Ms. Mitchell to facilitate a daring escape bear more than a little of the burden of responsibility here.
5
Ms Mitchell should never have been a corrections employee. NYS should take full responsibility for this episode and how they run their prisons. Ms Mitchell surely was trained to how properly interact with inmate. Obviously in NYS the inmates run the prisons and the corrections employees are supplementing their high salaries with additional internal perks (sex and attention in Ms Mitchell case or $$ for contraband. New State laws should address this with very long prison sentences with heavy fines and restitution to the people. Ms Mitchell is no innocent, throw the book her and put her away for life in aiding and abetting murderers to escape - Ms Mitchell is now just as evil as those she helped escape.
1
Ms. Mitchell should have never been a prison employee? Now that is some Monday morning quarter backing there. She was wrong with what she did and is being held accountable with a short term because she confessed to everything which helps the investigation. Ms. Mitchell is certainly not evil; I believe she is a tragic character in this sordid event. Con's are good at what they do which is to con everyone. Some people see right through it, others like Ms. Mitchell, did not.
Sure and all the prison employees out there enriching themselves or we are employing all the dysfunctional Ms Mitchell out there getting their jolly's off out there on our dime. Perhaps Colorado Lily, your jealous your Lily is not getting gilded?
I heard a very interesting piece on NPR's Bob Edward's Weekend. It was an interview with a convicted Mafia gangster Louis Farrante. He states that the prison is actually run by the prisoners with the guards just trying to not have an incident happen on their shift. Louis says anything is available in prison, if you have a means to pay for it. He also went on to describe how the inmates go about seducing the guards to bring in contraband for them. I agree that this woman was incredibly naive to think that somehow she was special and meant something to a murderous con man. She was targeted as vulnerable by a predator and used as prey. How could the "Glitch" be so blind when they worked in the tailor shop together? Lucky for her and the "Glitch" that they are not dismembered somewhere in the woods in upstate New York.
Maybe if our prisons were not so overcrowded with low level drug offenders there would be more time and money to watch murderous sociopaths behaviors, especially at night when operating power tools.
Maybe if our prisons were not so overcrowded with low level drug offenders there would be more time and money to watch murderous sociopaths behaviors, especially at night when operating power tools.
32
I do not in any way excuse her behavior. But I feel sorry for her. And the visual image of an aging frowsy-blonde throwing herself on - not accurate, but that's the stereotype - is embarrassing to us all. A man doing the same deed wouldn't be seen as quite so pathetic. A lot of us are cringing.
5
Speak for yourself. I'm not in the least bit embarrassed by her. And you're right, if she were a man, your ugly characterization wouldn't even be mentioned. So why mention it? Backwards.
4
a guy wouldn't have been charged only with contraband violations, i'd guess, and would face a much longer sentence.
1
I am a bit taken aback by the vitriol directed at this woman. What she did was so very wrong and she should be punished. She will be - prison, her life over and gosh knows what she will do when she gets out. The whole picture should be looked at - have you ever been to Dannemora? It is in the middle of absolutely no where. Life is boring, humdrum and she clearly does not have the sophistication to understand the treachery of these men. Her statements suggest she was lured by the excitement of it all. Just stop and think - life is so boring that one gets wrapped up with convicted felons to find some thrill. I feel sorry for her, for her husband and for the mess she made of her life.
14
She lives in a boring place so that's an excuse to plot the murder of her husband and to help two murderers escape from prison.
Oh my. This woman was so starved for attention and excitement, that she allowed herself to serve as a tool for these two felons. If there is major prison reform as the end result of this escape and manhunt, then something good was gained. If not, we still can look forward to the movie version of these events.
3
There's a certain sadness here that speaks to the human condition -- always in search of acceptance and at the other extreme sit those sociopaths who would exploit people like Mitchell. It happens every day albeit to varying degrees. Sadder still are the voices raised in concert to kill and or imprison her. We are a sad and selfish lot governed by the cost of everything and ignorant of life's human value.
83
She certainly seems someone lost and sad. I wonder, however, if the same sentiment was prevalent if her name was DeShaana instead of Joyce (obviously a rhetorical question).
She has more than earned what will be a minimal sentence. Those were murderers she helped to free. She cost the public weeks of fear, and millions of dollars.
If those guys had killed someone--as they easily could have--would you say the same? Further, if a man had helped them the way she did, would you be as sympathetic then?
If those guys had killed someone--as they easily could have--would you say the same? Further, if a man had helped them the way she did, would you be as sympathetic then?
How is there so much interaction between inmates and guards? How is it that inmates have the ability to send and receive packages so freely? How do they have so many of the same freedoms that exist for non-criminals?? Once someone is locked up in jail cell, it should be the EASIEST THING IN THE WORLD to limit what they have contact with, both with material possessions and other human beings. I've never understood how an inmate can have a drug problem while incarcerated - HOW are drugs getting into a presumably controlled environment???
2
You can't be serious! The answer to all your questions is: human fallibility and corruption.
1
She says, "I enjoyed the attention, the feeling both of them gave me, and the thought of a different life."
Well, she is gonna get a different life alright...
Well, she is gonna get a different life alright...
3
I see a lot of references to "civilian employees". Aren't all prison personnel "civilians"? This is not a military installation.
3
In contrast to Corrections Officers.
@smallPharm I think not, in regard to the prison employees. Certainly the guards are like police officers who would also not be considered civilians. I'd imagine they are armed as well, so no, that fact alone would negate them being civilians. I'm not an expert in these matters, but I believe that's whereabout the confusion lies.
In NYS DOCCS, they differentiate between security personnel and civilian employees. It's just how they phrase it so that it is clear who is security (those who are hired directly through DOCCS or who are corrections officers/sgts) and those who are not.
3
I must be a true cynic because I keep thinking that she'll end up coming out ahead on all this after she gets out of prison, especially if it's a relatively short stay: People magazine article, exclusive CNN interview, book deal, movie rights... I'm curious if you are allowed to profit from your crime while in prison for that crime. Her husband is probably staying with her because he figures he'll get a slice of the money. Or, he's a really good guy who truly loves his wife. Hmmm.
8
If she does profit, the state should sue for damages related to the millions of dollars spent on hunting these guys down.
9
How cruel you are. This is a pathetic and sad woman whose life has been ruined by manipulative criminals, and whose family is in terrible stress.
1
She'd come out ahead if she were younger and prettier. Instead, she will be this week's kickball and then be forgotten.
4
How sad that she was manipulated and that she has thrown away her life. At least she is being honest about her role.
20
Yes, it's very sad she was "manipulated" into helping two psychopathic killers escape. It would have been sadder still had they murdered while on the run. And it would be even sadder for the families of their latest victims. It's all so sad, just as the recent mass killers are sad cases too. In fact I'm so sad now I think I'll take the day off. Which will be sad for my employer.
2
Honest? You give this woman "honest?" She conspired to murder her husband and let loose on the local populace two dangerous men who would kill anyone who got in their way! She "confessed" after she got caught.
4
Thank you for a moment of actual reasoned thought among all the apologists.
It does suggest that prisoners and prison guards should be rotated, randomly at unpredictable dates. While it may be useful getting to know the habits of inmates, it's much better for all involved not to develop close or symapthetic relationships.
28
I don't know about the NYS correctional system, but in the NYC system, union rules essentially bar that kind of random reassignment by giving officers (under certain conditions) the "right" to have certain posts. There are a number of reasonable rationales for this, but it's certainly a contributing factor in corruption and security lapses.
1
Well of course the govenor only shared details with the state. In a situation like this its no time for Barney Fife
wanting to be a hero.
wanting to be a hero.
2
I retired after working for 15 years in Corrections in Ohio. This is sadly another instance of how women employed in Corrections are seduced and used by male inmates. Now that I'm retired and not afraid to speak the truth: women have no place working in a men's prison. Just as men should not be allowed to work in a women's prison for the same reason.
This should be a instructional manual of how inmates detect a weakness in female state correction employees and are able to manipulate them. I could give you countless of examples I've seen over the years.
Hopefully, her testimonial will be video taped and shown to all employees during training classes that are held once per year at most prisons.
This should be a instructional manual of how inmates detect a weakness in female state correction employees and are able to manipulate them. I could give you countless of examples I've seen over the years.
Hopefully, her testimonial will be video taped and shown to all employees during training classes that are held once per year at most prisons.
23
Gary, there are men who are in trouble for helping these guys too.
3
Until you have been seduced by a sociopath, you cannot know the power they exert over you. Since the prison population has a high percentage of sociopaths, every prison employee should be schooled in their characteristics and how to avoid mixing it up with them. This woman is a pathetic person who should receive the maximum punishment for betraying the public trust and allowing herself to be ill-used by these two sociopaths. May God have mercy on Matt's daughter.
9
Anne, your comment doesn't really track.
"Until you have been seduced by a sociopath, you cannot know the power they exert over you..... This woman is a pathetic person who should receive the maximum punishment for ... allowing herself to be ill-used by these two sociopaths."
If sociopaths exert unexpected power of seduction, how is it that the pathetic target should be maximally punished for "allowing" it?
"Until you have been seduced by a sociopath, you cannot know the power they exert over you..... This woman is a pathetic person who should receive the maximum punishment for ... allowing herself to be ill-used by these two sociopaths."
If sociopaths exert unexpected power of seduction, how is it that the pathetic target should be maximally punished for "allowing" it?
4
The prison population does not have a high percentage of sociopaths FYI. The majority of people who are in prison are in prison for drugs or violent crimes related to drugs. People in prison should be treated like humans, not like some other species of human that can't be trusted to have relationships.
3
Because she took an oath of office to serve as a prison employee, and she chose to put herself into the hands of these criminals, that's why.
A very sad story of human nature and how it can go terribly wrong. Nothing more, nothing less. It happens all the time in one way or another.
8
At last, a sane voice! ("Nothing more, nothing less. It happens all the time in one way or another.")
Once, on confessing to my psychiatrist something truly horrible I'd done, I burst into tears, only to look up in astonishment as I realized she was laughing delightedly at me. Incredulous, I asked why. In mock surprise, she said "Oh, my! You mean you're human?
Once, on confessing to my psychiatrist something truly horrible I'd done, I burst into tears, only to look up in astonishment as I realized she was laughing delightedly at me. Incredulous, I asked why. In mock surprise, she said "Oh, my! You mean you're human?
2
It's remarkable a person of such low personal character with so little responsibility & integrity could earn a job with security, benefits, and a pension. Then again who would work in a prison to begin with? Funny things happen at the bottom of the human pond.
6
That is outrageous. If you agree that prisons are as essential to a functioning, productive society, then you agree that prison workers are performing an essential service. Why should prison workers not have security, benefits, and a pension? With good pay and acknowledgment of their work ethic, maybe then these workers will be less likely to take bribes or be seduced by sociopaths offering the promise of a "different life." I think you, CK, are instead "the bottom of the human pond."
3
Are you God Himself, CK? At least you think you are, right?
What an incredibly lazy take she's come up with. I hope she doesn't plan to write books while in prison. She's still lying and not very well. Truth aside, I'm curious why she is facing a mere 2-7 years? People go to prison for far longer for far less serious crimes. Having betrayed a sworn duty as a State employee in assisting two murderers! in their escape....the potential for law enforcement officers to be killed, or simply a citizen of the communities through which the men passed...not to mention the cost of the manhunt to the tax payers, the damage to the prison... This is where gender bias kicks in...I can hear it already. She was lonely, not a bad person, she had a troubled childhood... Well, the murderers didn't exactly grow up on Park Avenue. A man would be facing 25 years. This woman is a disgrace. But god forbid we don't allow the hiring female guards in mens prisons. What a mess society has become. We were once governed by logic. It wasn't always like this.
3
And I suppose you would then agree Mr. Donald Trump's statement that women shouldn't be allowed in the military either, because we all know what happens when there's a "mixer"! Definitely can't have men and women together. It's probably not important that there are thousands of female prison employees and this is a single anecdotal case. Statistics aren't really important, anyway--certainly not as important as vague notions of "logic."
1
The two crimes she is charged with carry reasonably "low" sentences. She can go away for up to 7 years - and very likely will do some significant time. This isn't about what an outraged (deservedly so) public "feels" she should get. The sentences being discussed are what the law allows. As a member of the Constable, NY community - I can assure you that after everything we went through with what Mitchell unleashed - many people feel it is a tad on the low side...
A perfect Coen Brothers film. Most of the script could be taken verbatim from the testimony.
13
Obviously many guards are either lazy or corrupt. Working in an "escape-proof" proof prison probably makes it easier to drop ones guard. She should be given a stiff sentence... She can practice charming guards from the other side…
5
She was not a "guard." Why does no one read anymore?
1
How is it that one prison worker aids and abets prisoners, and now it's "obvious" that "many" guards are corrupt? Where are you getting the information to come to that conclusion, given that you have just one single casein front of you?
This is a classic example of "the glamour of evil", not only, as some have commented here, do some women get drawn to criminals, they want to marry them. The serial murderer Ted Bundy was a rock star to a host of women, the same with the Nightstalker. It is seen and played out in other scenarios, "bad boys", are attractive to women of all ages. This cannot be put down to low self esteem, there are numerous narco beauty queens in Latin America such as Martha Lucia Echeverry, Miss Colombia, mistress to the head of the Cali drug cartel. There is an appreciation of violent dangerous men that tugs at women and wants to make heroes out of outlaws
3
What do you make of the men who wrote to Casey Anthony while in prison and sent her money?
Maybe we see more women drawn to dangerous men, than vice versa, because almost all dangerous people are men.
Maybe we see more women drawn to dangerous men, than vice versa, because almost all dangerous people are men.
2
Women are drawn to power. It's genetic, a laudable, reasonable necessity to survival of the species, especially of the wives in their responsibility for their children. Often it does not matter whether the man is "good" or not. Look at the trophy wives of politicians, lawyers and the abundantly rich. Beauty goes where the power is:
In an NBC interview of a billionaire couple several years ago, when asked what she found so attractive in her husband, the woman said, "His money; money is sexy!" Her husband smiled, smugly delighted.
In an NBC interview of a billionaire couple several years ago, when asked what she found so attractive in her husband, the woman said, "His money; money is sexy!" Her husband smiled, smugly delighted.
Ms. Mitchell showed being a very naïve person and certainly not suited for working for the prison job. While impossible to prove, my bet is that the escapees would kill her immediately once they could get in the car. They were murderers and one more murder wouldn't change.
The biggest failure is of the system that employs people like Ms. Mitchell in order to fill positions. There should be periodic tests and investigations for prisons employees to ascertain that weaknesses, negligence or abusive behavior are criteria for dismissal.
The biggest failure is of the system that employs people like Ms. Mitchell in order to fill positions. There should be periodic tests and investigations for prisons employees to ascertain that weaknesses, negligence or abusive behavior are criteria for dismissal.
10
Also another example of how the US healthcare system has forced many unsuitable people to go for crazy jobs they would not otherwise seek out, just to get benefits. Health benefits should always be separate from your job. This may well have happened under different circumstances, but it seems we've seen this over and over (particularly in law enforcement) when the ecosystem is out of whack, when unsuitable people (or should I say folks not exactly compatible) with this type of profession are tested at the limit.
1
My goodness, this case seems to be right out of what sexists warned would happen if women were brought into male-only environments: "Ms. Mitchell told investigators ... 'We talked every day and he treated me with respect and was nice to me. He made me feel special.'"
I agree that many women are tough-minded, but is Ms. Mitchell the exception, or are the majority of women working in prisons and the U.S. military so easily manipulated?
I agree that many women are tough-minded, but is Ms. Mitchell the exception, or are the majority of women working in prisons and the U.S. military so easily manipulated?
7
Good God! the sexism continues.
No they are not easily manipulated. They are actors in this drama and are guilty. And you are sexist for searching for ways to exonerate them of responsibility.
Leave it to feminists to turn women into irresponsible damsels.
She is also guily of rape.
No they are not easily manipulated. They are actors in this drama and are guilty. And you are sexist for searching for ways to exonerate them of responsibility.
Leave it to feminists to turn women into irresponsible damsels.
She is also guily of rape.
Obviously not, or this wouldn't be a news-worthy case at all--it'd be common a common occurrence.
How about the [male] correction officer who 'accepted' gifts of paintings from Mr Matt - and smuggled them out [in exchange for what I don't know] - was he also "easily manipulated" into believing that Matt wasn't such a bad guy?? And the mainly male prison hierarchy - how did they lull themselves into complacency?
Was Gen. David Petraeus weak-minded and typical of male officers when he released classified info to his paramour?
Some of this is about how well some sociopaths - especially smart ones - can read human reactions and systems and gauge how to exploit weakness. Another piece is about human weakness, well distributed between men and women, period.
Was Gen. David Petraeus weak-minded and typical of male officers when he released classified info to his paramour?
Some of this is about how well some sociopaths - especially smart ones - can read human reactions and systems and gauge how to exploit weakness. Another piece is about human weakness, well distributed between men and women, period.
7
Where was the boss? The front line, low paid staff get the charges and the boss gets a raise and a bonus.
7
She was no scapegoat for the boss. She's the one who did the crime and now she'll do the time. And where is it written that her supervisor received a raise and a bonus? Oh wait, it's those dastardly corporations behind it all, of course.
Actually, the prison warden was suspended and replaced.
She has pleaded guilty and is remorseful. She will have to do some time and her life will never be the same again. No, she is not a victim, she got herself into this mess. And also no, she is not violent or a sociopath. With some people suggesting sentences of essentially life, many of the comments here say more about the vitriolic commenters (who have obviously never put a foot wrong) than Joyce Mitchell.
44
Realworld-
I agree, she is a foollish, lonely woman who got in over her head. She deserves prison, but a very long term serves no rational purpose. Mitchell is broken and humilliated, and will be an ex-con with a lifetime of ridicule ahead of her. How much punishment is enough?
I agree, she is a foollish, lonely woman who got in over her head. She deserves prison, but a very long term serves no rational purpose. Mitchell is broken and humilliated, and will be an ex-con with a lifetime of ridicule ahead of her. How much punishment is enough?
1
I agree. I find this heartbreaking. Yes, she did something wrong and should be punished. But I do have sympathy for her. I am far more upset by cops and prison personnel who abuse and kill people. Most of them aren't punished at all.
1
I agree. As a resident of Constable, NY (where David Sweat was captured - 4 miles from my home), I would suggest that an old parable fits. This woman is sad, and was easily manipulated. She made a horrific mistake that she is in the process of paying for - and undoubtedly will for the rest of her life. Now, those of you who have NEVER done ANYTHING wrong in your entire life, NEVER made a really stupid mistake you'd give ANYTHING to reverse, NEVER hurt anyone you love - well, here's a stone. Start throwing.
3
There was a temptation that lead the prison worker to help criminals.
What was the bribe crime of South Africa president to help International war criminal .
Now the same wanted International war criminal is in a conference in other African country.
Attention:
All the world is authorized to arrest this war criminal dead or alive
What was the bribe crime of South Africa president to help International war criminal .
Now the same wanted International war criminal is in a conference in other African country.
Attention:
All the world is authorized to arrest this war criminal dead or alive
Equality for women demands a long, long sentence. Joyce Mitchell is a criminal and she's stupid. She's had her fun, now lock her up.
10
Imagine that...she succumbed to some sort of twisted, charismatic charm from two convicted killers. This woman must have been totally ignored, neglected and rejected by her own family to have taken such desperate measures, and obviously starved for attention...even from murderers. Either that, or she's mentally deficient, which doesn't excuse her actions one little bit.
6
There are more than 320 million humans trying to survive in the Land of the Free. Half of them, so 160 million, have an IQ of less than 100. What are they supposed to do to try to earn a living - sign up for some fancy course to learn the latest programming skills? I don't think so.
Prisons in the USA are a major source of employment for Americans who have very low levels of formal schooling, can barely read and write properly, have an IQ of less than 100, and would struggle in any job that requires high-level thinking.
The feckless, the foolish, and the feeble-minded are found in plenty in America's penitentiaries. And many of them are not the convicted inmates.
Prisons in the USA are a major source of employment for Americans who have very low levels of formal schooling, can barely read and write properly, have an IQ of less than 100, and would struggle in any job that requires high-level thinking.
The feckless, the foolish, and the feeble-minded are found in plenty in America's penitentiaries. And many of them are not the convicted inmates.
59
Moreover, many prisons are in places where there is little other employment opportunity, and pretty much the entire community works there.
1
I've never been so surprised at the tenor and casual vitriol of Times' readers' comments.
I feel compassion for a hopeful woman who made some stupid decisions and messed up at work. She didn't kill anyone and she didn't even steal anything. She broke the law. She was conflicted about her actions and suffered enough anxiety to require a hospital. She admitted what she had done, and apologized, and she's going to jail.
The real problem is this country's high rate of incarceration, the hidden and toxic nature of the prison industry, and the fact that we have allowed our prisons to turn into universities of crime.
I feel compassion for a hopeful woman who made some stupid decisions and messed up at work. She didn't kill anyone and she didn't even steal anything. She broke the law. She was conflicted about her actions and suffered enough anxiety to require a hospital. She admitted what she had done, and apologized, and she's going to jail.
The real problem is this country's high rate of incarceration, the hidden and toxic nature of the prison industry, and the fact that we have allowed our prisons to turn into universities of crime.
56
Agreed.
Yes, so sad. What sort of dream world are you in? This woman facilitated the escape of two convicted murderers - one who murdered an acquaintance and chopped up the body to avoid detection. The other murdered a police officer, shooting him multiple times, then running him over with the officers car.
Her actions directly led to the death of one of the escapees, the wounding of the other and a massive manhunt that lasted the better part of three weeks, involved hundreds of police, cost millions of dollars and scared the daylights out of a wide swath of the Adirondacks. Although your final paragraph is an accurate description of what's wrong with the criminal justice system in America, it has very little to do with this situation. Joyce Mitchell didnt "mess up at work" - she broke multiple laws, repeatedly and now she must pay. In an earlier age, her punishment would be to serve out the remaining terms of Matt and Sweat. She's getting off lightly.
Her actions directly led to the death of one of the escapees, the wounding of the other and a massive manhunt that lasted the better part of three weeks, involved hundreds of police, cost millions of dollars and scared the daylights out of a wide swath of the Adirondacks. Although your final paragraph is an accurate description of what's wrong with the criminal justice system in America, it has very little to do with this situation. Joyce Mitchell didnt "mess up at work" - she broke multiple laws, repeatedly and now she must pay. In an earlier age, her punishment would be to serve out the remaining terms of Matt and Sweat. She's getting off lightly.
1
She "messed up at work"? Are you kidding me? She helped two convicted murderers (one of whom killed a cop) escape prison!
1
I wonder how the ending would have been if she'd have done her part in picking up the inmates at midnight? Geee....was it a full moon that night to? All three might still be free in Canada. The plot is a best selling novel for sure!
3
My guess is these 'men' - known killers - would have killed her to get her out of the way once she ceased to be of any use to them.
2
They would've killed her. That's what would've happened.
2
Why do so many assume that the escapees would have been free in Canada? While Canada is one of the staunchest defenders of non-dangerous seekers of asylum, it is one of the quickest to deal summarily with anyone dangerous to Canadians, especially convicted murderers.
She should get the max sentence. One of the killers shot at a civilian who drove by. The killers could have murdered civilians and cops because of this idiot.
I do not understand why women fall in love with men in jail. It seems that women like to have their men behind bars so they cannot hurt them, but do not think of what will happen to them (the women) when the men get out of jail.
I do not understand why women fall in love with men in jail. It seems that women like to have their men behind bars so they cannot hurt them, but do not think of what will happen to them (the women) when the men get out of jail.
8
Sociopaths are well known charmers of women & men. Matt & Sweat were con artists . . . Matt being the far more clever of the two. Loneliness is not an excuse for placing others in mortal danger. Ms. Mitchell seems to be not the sharpest tack in the box. Her husband even less so. However, her husband has his morals & ethics in tact. His interview was sad in that he found it incomprehensible his wife would aid a prison escape, and/or set him up for murder. She lied to him even after she was arrested.
The problems are embedded in our preposterously backwards incarceration "justice" system in the U.S. We are bedeviled by our own stupidity. That the inmates are considerably sharper than the "guards" should shock no one. The least educated, least experienced, and the most underpaid empoyees in this country are "protecting" us against the worst murderers, and sociopaths. The intelligence of the caretakers is poorly ( if at all!) evaluated, and they are a prime example of the failures of American public education.
America is very much an under-developed nation. It does not nurture its brilliant scientists, artists, and students. America ignores its best and its brightest. What hope, therefore, do the under 100 IQ population have in the world of "employment?" They are frequently illiterate, and very easily influenced.
Ms. Mitchell is very lucky. Her last minute panic attack saved her from certain death, and that of her husband as well.
Dumb luck, indeed.
The problems are embedded in our preposterously backwards incarceration "justice" system in the U.S. We are bedeviled by our own stupidity. That the inmates are considerably sharper than the "guards" should shock no one. The least educated, least experienced, and the most underpaid empoyees in this country are "protecting" us against the worst murderers, and sociopaths. The intelligence of the caretakers is poorly ( if at all!) evaluated, and they are a prime example of the failures of American public education.
America is very much an under-developed nation. It does not nurture its brilliant scientists, artists, and students. America ignores its best and its brightest. What hope, therefore, do the under 100 IQ population have in the world of "employment?" They are frequently illiterate, and very easily influenced.
Ms. Mitchell is very lucky. Her last minute panic attack saved her from certain death, and that of her husband as well.
Dumb luck, indeed.
3
First of all, step away from your heteronormativity for a second and realize that not all women "like to have their men" such and such way...many women aren't even romantically or sexually attracted to men at all.
Second, "women" is a fairly large group, I'd say, containing, oh, perhaps half of the population. When you say that "women like to have their men behind bars so they cannot hurt them", you're making subjective assumptions based on your personal perception of female hyper-vulnerability. Women "do not think of what will happen to them"? I suggest you seek out more conversations with women of all stripes, and see how your opinion of how little women think about their futures changes.
Second, "women" is a fairly large group, I'd say, containing, oh, perhaps half of the population. When you say that "women like to have their men behind bars so they cannot hurt them", you're making subjective assumptions based on your personal perception of female hyper-vulnerability. Women "do not think of what will happen to them"? I suggest you seek out more conversations with women of all stripes, and see how your opinion of how little women think about their futures changes.
2
I do not intend to condone her criminal - let alone foolish - act. But I do not feel good at the thought that already a simply human act like checking on the daughter of an inmate is supposed to be "wrong". Contact between inmates and family could be so important to keep up a thread of love and emotional connectedness (although obviously not so for these guys) thus why is it just wrong to facilitate it (without compromising security, of course)?
11
The whole thing was a plan of manipulation, that's why in this case it was wrong.
Paul, there are plenty of ways for an inmate to stay in contact with his or her family, and there are prison employees whose job it is to facilitate that contact - and to make sure it occurs under appropriate conditions. Ms. Mitchell was not one of those employees. Like it or not, in order to maintain prison security - which translates into public security - everyone must follow the rules. If the rules appear irrational or inhumane, either in general or as enforced against particular inmates, they can and should be challenged administratively and/or legally. This case, which placed dozens of people at risk of injury or death and cost the state millions of dollars, is an excellent example of what can happen when one low-level prison employee takes it upon herself to decide what rules she can break. And by the way, I doubt she contacted Matt's daughter as a gesture of humanity towards a man deprived of family contact. Her motives arose from her own need or desire for his continued attention and affection.
1
And such people are kept behind the bars at the expense of American taxpayer. Nonsense. Have they done anything good during their life? You should remember, crime as well as terrorism have no race and sexual identity.
4
I can’t help to believe if she wasn't white and female there would be calls for a much harsher sentence. Our prisons are filled with people who have done a lot less than her but serving a lot more time than she got. Where was the sympathy for a women of color pulled out of her car and manhandled for not putting her cigarette out? Whether Ms. Bland took her life or not would this frumpy little white woman in the same situation been subjected to the same treatment? This woman helped two really bad men escape put many people lives at risk and cost the taxpayers millions. She had sex with a killer in prison a killer who would not have hesitated to kill to stay free. Can anyone say in all candor that there is no benefit from being white in America? Ever wonder why the population of our prisons are overwhelming not the color of this poor little lady? Justice is truly blind in America.
13
She has been charged with two crimes. The sentences for those crimes may be too short, but, take that up with the State Legislature. She wil lundoubtedly get as long as sentence as the judge can LEGALLY sentence her to. He can't make up and apply longer sentences because of public outrage. (That is no longer a "rule of law".) So - again - WHAT the heck does THAT have to do with the fact that she is white?
1
There are two issues here. The first is how prisons are being staffed (should women ever ben working with male inmates?) and how much training is given to workers likely making a very low wage to deal with manipulative sociopaths. The second is whether this woman deserves a long sentence (because she conspired to commit murder and assisted two dangerous prisoners to escape) or whether, due to lack of training, she gets a pass. She's a grown woman. She made her choices. While the training may have been non-existent, she knew what she was doing was wrong and she has to suffer the consequences.
8
If nothing else, you have to admit that The Glitch is an excellent nickname.
25
This is a Lifetime movie for sure.
1
I read that her husband decided not to bail her out. After he found out that she had cheated on him and that she had conspired with Matt who planned to kill him on their way out of town. This story is like something out of a prison movie.
7
In the end, the convicts' egos did them in: it doesn't seem to have occurred to them that this woman would back out. They clearly had great confidence in their abilities to manipulate this woman, and they held her in contempt. I'm certain they planned to kill her as she would be a loose end and a liability, and as a woman with no criminal history, would probably not be "smart" enough to keep their tracks covered for the rest of their lives. Some last-minute combination of conscience, common sense, and survival instinct saved her live and sealed the fate of the escapees.
31
What’s scary is how outwardly normal seeming people like this woman can live in such a fantasy, can be so needy to pretend to themselves a false reality, as they get sort of addicted to a situation. She couldn’t stop she said.
And the poor daughter of such a vicious psychopathic killer was glad to get a picture he painted? So sad.
And the poor daughter of such a vicious psychopathic killer was glad to get a picture he painted? So sad.
13
What’s scary is how outwardly normal seeming people like this MAN can live in such a fantasy, can be so needy to pretend to themselves a false reality, as they get sort of addicted to [situations like, say, rape].
So, will you have as much compassion for men? Or only women?
So, will you have as much compassion for men? Or only women?
1
bart....could you clarify.... what are you talking about that relates to this article?
1
Sex was part of the equation? Gee, coulda knocked me over with a feather.
Considering what a danger these sociopaths were to society when let loose; considering how much money was spent finding them and putting them away; considering that Governor Cuomo missed out on awarding the Belmont States Trophy, I think they should throw the book at Ms. Mitchell. and put her away for most of the rest of her life.
You know, I am really surprised those thugs did not murder a few people in an attempt to obtain a car and enhance the efficiency of their escape. In that regard, Ms. Mitchell was darn lucky.
Considering what a danger these sociopaths were to society when let loose; considering how much money was spent finding them and putting them away; considering that Governor Cuomo missed out on awarding the Belmont States Trophy, I think they should throw the book at Ms. Mitchell. and put her away for most of the rest of her life.
You know, I am really surprised those thugs did not murder a few people in an attempt to obtain a car and enhance the efficiency of their escape. In that regard, Ms. Mitchell was darn lucky.
6
Cuomo missed the Belmont Stakes? Oh, the horror of it all.
And this is precisely why there is a justice system...so it doesn't matter whether the everyday Joe can flippantly, wantonly sentence a person to be incarcerated for "most of the rest of her life." Do you know what the precedent is for this kind of offense? Can you tell me about how different cases were treated?
Before you leap to judgment, remember the limits to your knowledge of criminal justice, especially in absence of all of the facts.
Before you leap to judgment, remember the limits to your knowledge of criminal justice, especially in absence of all of the facts.
It is not only inmates who are dehumanized by the correctional system; correctional officers are processed in and out of facilities just as inmates are. The only real difference? Corrections personnel are there for their employment, not under a court sentence. Both groups, however, must cope with the same sally ports, radioed orders, monitored movement, locked facilities, cumbersome procedures, and rules regarding communications and articles from outside the facility, and so on. It is hardly surprising that these types of situations develop; what IS surprising is that they do not seem to happen more often.
Ms. Mitchell sounds like she was very stressed and conflicted about her role in this escape, and scared about the potential that harm might come to her husband. Her capitulation and rapid guilty plea say a lot about her mental state, and I hope her sentence is commensurate with the remorse she has expressed.
Ms. Mitchell sounds like she was very stressed and conflicted about her role in this escape, and scared about the potential that harm might come to her husband. Her capitulation and rapid guilty plea say a lot about her mental state, and I hope her sentence is commensurate with the remorse she has expressed.
11
Dehumanized? They are paid employees. They accepted a job. They are compensated for it. How are they dehumanized?
I am surprised by the level of people's "compassion" and "understanding" for Joyce E. Mitchell, calling for therapy and a light sentence.
This woman did not merely have an affair---she helped two violent, convicted murderers break out of jail. Innocent civilians could have been murdered or taken hostage; law enforcement officials were surely endangered. Take a look again at the length and brutality of Richard W. Matt and David Sweat's criminality. They earned their prison time.
I sympathize---even empathize---with having low self-esteem. But come on, people. We have to hold people accountable and punish them in proportion to the severity of their transgressions.
How can we hold prison guards to such a low standard but demand something else of police officers?
This woman did not merely have an affair---she helped two violent, convicted murderers break out of jail. Innocent civilians could have been murdered or taken hostage; law enforcement officials were surely endangered. Take a look again at the length and brutality of Richard W. Matt and David Sweat's criminality. They earned their prison time.
I sympathize---even empathize---with having low self-esteem. But come on, people. We have to hold people accountable and punish them in proportion to the severity of their transgressions.
How can we hold prison guards to such a low standard but demand something else of police officers?
16
Again, she was not a corrections officer.
She was not a guard. She worked in the tailor shop.
I sincerely hope Joyce Mitchell receives life in prison for her role in the escape.
OK, she gets what you want ---a life sentence. That's great! Yes she deserves punishment, but now the taxpayers of New York can spend millions keeping this pathetic woman in jail, fed, clothed, free medical--- for what? Or are you 'Oliver' pony up some of your "sincere money to help with the cost of this life sentence?? You don't even live in New York but you're very quick to help cost the citizens of New York even more. What purpose would a life sentence serve? Rehabilitation? Revenge? Her marriages been ruined. Probably relationships with friends and relatives have been ruined. I don't know what "we" as a society are going to do with this
person. I don't know what the best answer is for this mess but a life sentence seems to punish the people of New York and this woman. As for the two "vicious killers" they should've been taken to a veterinarian and put down. There's no rehabilitation for them.
person. I don't know what the best answer is for this mess but a life sentence seems to punish the people of New York and this woman. As for the two "vicious killers" they should've been taken to a veterinarian and put down. There's no rehabilitation for them.
What a disgusting, detestable, degenerate display of loyalty to a murderer. and to have put her lips on this monsters private parts, as a menas of garnering his trust -- even more deplorable.
2 1/2 years is not long enough. Complicit in their escape -- instrumental -- and the resources it cost NYS, plus the fear engendered along with so many other factors in the equation, it begs the court to impose the maximum sentence for each count served consecutively.
Had she shown up in the vehicle required for them to escape, these two masterminds would most certainly have dispensed with her post-haste.
I shudder to thing of her husband who sat there being interviewed believing in his wife. Poor bloke. Divorce needs discussing.
2 1/2 years is not long enough. Complicit in their escape -- instrumental -- and the resources it cost NYS, plus the fear engendered along with so many other factors in the equation, it begs the court to impose the maximum sentence for each count served consecutively.
Had she shown up in the vehicle required for them to escape, these two masterminds would most certainly have dispensed with her post-haste.
I shudder to thing of her husband who sat there being interviewed believing in his wife. Poor bloke. Divorce needs discussing.
7
allow me to correct typos: "...as a MEANS of garnering"
and 2 1/3 years not 2 1/2. Sorry. it was 2am when I read article and wrote comments.
and 2 1/3 years not 2 1/2. Sorry. it was 2am when I read article and wrote comments.
I wonder how much she will get for the movie rights.
1
In NY, the "Son of Sam law" is designed to keep criminals from profiting from the publicity of their crimes, often by selling their stories to publishers.
She will be out in a year in NY, after doing to time at WEnde. She will be a folk hero at Wende.
My cousin was stabbed by his girlfriend in Holland, NY ( 1 cut through his heart as he was moving out on her. She then tried to clean up the place. Put the knife in his left hand an said he stabbed himself commiting suicide 21 years ago. The Erie county DA ( yes the same one in Matt's case Kevin Dillon, only charge 2nd degree murder). After her Daddy hired a lawyer the DA dropped it to guilty of manslauter with a recommendation of 7-25. The judge only gave her 5-25. She was out in less than 4, without my family every getting notified of the Parole hearing. Opps we just have to see her in town walking around.
While she can't benefit from her crime, Son of Sam law. I sure bet " glitch" or the kids will be approached to write a book. They will need to to get out of NE Upstate.
My cousin was stabbed by his girlfriend in Holland, NY ( 1 cut through his heart as he was moving out on her. She then tried to clean up the place. Put the knife in his left hand an said he stabbed himself commiting suicide 21 years ago. The Erie county DA ( yes the same one in Matt's case Kevin Dillon, only charge 2nd degree murder). After her Daddy hired a lawyer the DA dropped it to guilty of manslauter with a recommendation of 7-25. The judge only gave her 5-25. She was out in less than 4, without my family every getting notified of the Parole hearing. Opps we just have to see her in town walking around.
While she can't benefit from her crime, Son of Sam law. I sure bet " glitch" or the kids will be approached to write a book. They will need to to get out of NE Upstate.
3
First, it is shocking that the maximum is 7 years. Second, the Court, in order to deter this behavior, should give her the full 7. Joyce is no shrinking violet.
9
Shouldn't she be charged with sexual assault? Inmates can't give consent for any type of sexual activity.
I'm in disbelief her husband is staying with her. The guy needs to get as far away from her as possible
I'm in disbelief her husband is staying with her. The guy needs to get as far away from her as possible
12
Silly middle aged, overweight, white women looking for love in all the wrong places. Most likely had acne in high school all women secretly long for bad boys with long shootings.
7
I'm surprised at how many comments express pity and compassion for the woman seduced by the inmates.
I wonder if she was African American if the calls for leniency would be as likely to dominate the "T-pick" category... a category as I understand it that serves as a tag for "representative" as well as outstandingly rendered comments.
It would be easy to set up a good experiment to test that hypothesis. Give two groups the story again, this time rewritten for one group as a white employee and for the other as a black employee. A less well known story might work better in terms of not revealing the experiment's purpose. Add to that a control group...and voila!
My guess is it would turn out the same way it has for other racially incendiary events. That is, considerable less sympathy is given to the subject when they are black.
As for those expected findings, I'm sure those in the black community would be slightly nonplussed: "Whites are generally biased against blacks? Wow...what a surprise for all involved, huh?"
I wonder if she was African American if the calls for leniency would be as likely to dominate the "T-pick" category... a category as I understand it that serves as a tag for "representative" as well as outstandingly rendered comments.
It would be easy to set up a good experiment to test that hypothesis. Give two groups the story again, this time rewritten for one group as a white employee and for the other as a black employee. A less well known story might work better in terms of not revealing the experiment's purpose. Add to that a control group...and voila!
My guess is it would turn out the same way it has for other racially incendiary events. That is, considerable less sympathy is given to the subject when they are black.
As for those expected findings, I'm sure those in the black community would be slightly nonplussed: "Whites are generally biased against blacks? Wow...what a surprise for all involved, huh?"
10
This comment raises a good point that touches on a larger issue: namely, that it is no coincidence that the two prisoners who escaped and the prison employees who helped them were all white. Given that white men are a relatively small minority within the Clinton population, is it surprising that they receive favored treatment from the almost completely white staff?
3
uh if you'd just look at the picture in the article you'd know she is white. stop using this to bolster your opinions about racism.
Yet another comment that hypothesizes how everyone would react if the races were different. Another person fanning the flames of race. Enough already.
2
Her fate is exactly as it would have been had she followed through with her plans, not on a beach in Mexico, but in prison and her lover dead.
8
For you I suppose Hindsight is twenty-twenty, especially after hundreds of thousands of tax-payer dollars, a successful manhunt and the one killer and accomplice is behind bars.
However, if leaders in society - including City and prison officials - DID THEIR JOBS in the first place - maximum security prisoners would not get freedoms to do craft, receive sex and hack saws from outside labor, and escape and nearly disappear to kill again.
However, if leaders in society - including City and prison officials - DID THEIR JOBS in the first place - maximum security prisoners would not get freedoms to do craft, receive sex and hack saws from outside labor, and escape and nearly disappear to kill again.
2
No, sir.
Had she shown up with that car, she and her husband would have been dead and the escaped convicts would have been headed to Mexico.
Had she shown up with that car, she and her husband would have been dead and the escaped convicts would have been headed to Mexico.
6
more likely with her dead.
6
Suppose that the complicit prison worker were named Jason Mitchell, instead of Joyce Mitchell. Keep all the other facts the same. The kind words, the manipulation, the hacksaw blades, the drill bit and the furtive sex with a charismatic inmate. Would we still be in such a hurry to excuse away his complicity in this escape?
I agree that this is a very sad story. But I'm a little uneasy at everyone's rush to see Joyce Mitchell as a helpless victim who deserves light treatment from the law. This was a brazen escape by two very dangerous criminals, and it could have produced a lot more deaths. Mitchell's role is crucial. Without her (or his) support, there would have been no breakout.
There's something almost Victorian in commenters' unwillingness to believe that a woman can be a criminal, too. Put gender aside, and deal with a crucial accomplice's crimes in an unbiased way.
I agree that this is a very sad story. But I'm a little uneasy at everyone's rush to see Joyce Mitchell as a helpless victim who deserves light treatment from the law. This was a brazen escape by two very dangerous criminals, and it could have produced a lot more deaths. Mitchell's role is crucial. Without her (or his) support, there would have been no breakout.
There's something almost Victorian in commenters' unwillingness to believe that a woman can be a criminal, too. Put gender aside, and deal with a crucial accomplice's crimes in an unbiased way.
175
Whatever the correctional officer's name/gender, I think the commentator's analysis of the causes and effects at play in this escape are valid. Whether the prison worker is female or male is not really the issue. The issue is that we treat our prison population very poorly, but we treat those who work with the prisoners just about as poorly as the prisoners themselves. There is little difference, really, between the two groups, except that the COs get to clock out, while the prisoners stay until the courts say they're "rehabilitated" (or dead).
4
This is because our culture is a matriarchal one and is misandrist (sexist) against men.
You'd never know this (or even hear men talking about it) due to feminist roar.
You'd never know this (or even hear men talking about it) due to feminist roar.
1
According to police who have arrested this guy before he was a charmer but was also "gifted" where it counts. I don't believe she didn't have sex with him.
not buying her story ... there's more to it than that
10
My quandary is about those who run our correctional facilities.
It doesn't take a genius to know that female guards should not have contact with male inmates, and male guards with female inmates.
It doesn't take a genius to know that female guards should not have contact with male inmates, and male guards with female inmates.
259
I find this comment to be heterosexist.
Ms. Mitchell wasn't a guard.
1
You're right.
But wait! Nowadays, everyone needs the same opportunity - because there are zero differences between men/women, remember??
But wait! Nowadays, everyone needs the same opportunity - because there are zero differences between men/women, remember??
Two things of note: 1. She still gets her full pension. 2. She's not even HANDCUFFED let alone shackled as they lead her from the courtroom in the photo - how hard would it be for her to make a run for it with her husband as the getaway driver nearby???
16
You're blind. She is both handcuffed and shackled.
4
Look again...she's handcuffed and shackled.
2
Look at the photo again. Zoom in. See the chain across her midriff? I don't think those are bracelets on her wrists.
4
I want to know what's happening to those other prison employees who are now on 'administrative leave' and what sort of pay-back are we going to get from them for having cost the state millions and millions of dollars to track these two guys down?
On a further note, it seems to me that David Sweat ought to be made Director of Corrections because he, clearly, seems to know more about the workings of prison life than those who are currently in charge.
On a further note, it seems to me that David Sweat ought to be made Director of Corrections because he, clearly, seems to know more about the workings of prison life than those who are currently in charge.
61
It also boggles the mind to think that they (must have) made a hole through their cell walls early on and NO ONE discovered those holes.?
3
This story really broadens the definition of the need for prison reform.
11
Men are not the only ones who go through a mid-life crisis, apparently.
She cashed in her life:home, family, kids...for excitement.
A friend said he likened it to meeting the knockout and drop dead woman who unfortunstely unstable and bi-polar. The excitement they bring is undeniable, but also destructive, the kind of connection which is immediate, but which you just can't trust.
She cashed in her life:home, family, kids...for excitement.
A friend said he likened it to meeting the knockout and drop dead woman who unfortunstely unstable and bi-polar. The excitement they bring is undeniable, but also destructive, the kind of connection which is immediate, but which you just can't trust.
18
The fact of the matter is that by giving the inmate oral sex she is guilty of rape. The prisoner can no more consent than a student to their teacher. Reverse the genders here and it is obvious. That alone is worth 10 years. And didn't someone die (one of the escapees)? She is responsible for that person's death. That is another 10 years, at least. She negotiated to have her husband murdered. Only a last moment panic attack saved his life. She is still guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. That she is a weak human being with low self esteem mitigates none of this. Please stop making her the victim.
133
She is not the victim, not by a long shot. But she can hardly be responsible for Mr. Matt pointing a weapon at the officer who shot him. He needs to be responsible for his choices, too.
2
Sorry, pure sophistry. "Raping" a man by giving him oral sex? I'll wager you think it would've been all right if a federal judge had given his written consent.
1
@ Andrew I couldn't agree more. But if anything she will serve with a slap on the wrist after they formulate a defense based on a woman who has had a difficult life. Gender equality is starting to become code for Gender bias, now rampant.
1
these people spent too much time together and Ms. Mitchell lost her mind in the prisoners' company. they might have killed her or they might not have. without Moms or girlfriends, they probably appreciated her attention too. she might have continued to be of use to them, or they might have discarded her. it is interesting to me that the two prisoners stayed together until Mr. Matt had too much grape vodka and lost what mind he had. this whole escapade would have been summer entertainment had it not cost millions of dollars and caused fear and danger to so many residents. police work is never done.
4
What a sentimental and forgiving set of countrymen and women we have these days! Funny how the entire city of Baltimore, MD can be looted and raised to the ground in the name of protest, convicted killers get to paint and do crafts in a so-called maximum security prison, while having oral sex with a married woman who brings them gifts like hack saws in frozen hamburger for their escape. And God forbid an evil place like Seaworld houses killer sharks that can't be free to kill and eat beach goers.
Looking at most of the comments posted about this woman in this article, I wonder just how many in America these days lack the notion of personal accountability for grown human beings. Without it WE ARE LOST. This woman is a criminal, the only problem is she's not even getting 15 years for her crimes, she deserves 30 years minimum. She deserves to grow old in jaii because only her FEAR and not her morality and ethics changed her ways.
Looking at most of the comments posted about this woman in this article, I wonder just how many in America these days lack the notion of personal accountability for grown human beings. Without it WE ARE LOST. This woman is a criminal, the only problem is she's not even getting 15 years for her crimes, she deserves 30 years minimum. She deserves to grow old in jaii because only her FEAR and not her morality and ethics changed her ways.
39
Orcas aren't sharks. They are the largest of the dolphins. I live where there are several pods of orcas. They have not terrorized anyone.
1
As usual, the comments are more interesting than the article. Astounding that people think she should receive no punishment, that she is a "victim", wah,wah, wah...how many millions were wasted on this search because of a stupid woman? Oh, I am sorry, a woman of low self-esteem...what if innocent lives had been lost as a result of her "low self-esteem"? If the readers of NYT sat on all juries, we could abolish prisons entirely - everyone has been victimized, it seems.
53
Inmate Matt must have been quite the guy.I found myself hoping he would make it out to Canada.
Have you no heart?
Have you no heart?
5
Inmate Matt murdered 2 people. One guy he killed and dismembered his body. The other he stabbed 9 times for $300.
His end was fitting; have you no heart?
His end was fitting; have you no heart?
2
Yes, people who murder and dismember helpless old men are such charmers.
3
Actually, I was kind of hoping they got away, but that's what I get for watching 'The Shawshank Redemption'.
This probably won't go over very well with the PC crowd, but what the heck are women doing working in a men's prison? It's a recipe for disaster.
43
A poor deluded soul. She lost the best job she will ever have and her family. Go light on her.
7
Oh, OK. Think of the state workers who will go on disability due to the stress of looking for the inmates, the pensions etc….. Every cop is a criminal, every sinner a saint and every state worker a lazy thief. She still gets her pension.
I am tired of these comments excusing her behavior or mitigating her fault. You people can't have it both ways. If you won't make the same excuses (and you won't) for a man, then you can't make it for her. She knew what she was doing and proof of that was her not showing up and lying to her husband by saying she didn't have sex with them. The real victim in this is her husband and people that mitigate her devious role also mitigate the husbands victimization.
177
I completely agree with you. I saw an NBC interview with her husband. He was shocked, and said he still loved her, and couldn't really believe she would plot his death. But she did. And more... She deserves exactly what she has coming to her, and if the authorities spare her, they are sending a message to other vulnerable women out there. Matt was a psychopath, and they are always seductive and charming. He sniffed out her vulnerability and used her devotion through sexual attention to get her to do what she knew she shouldn't be doing, but couldn't stop once she was in his thrall. She had a conscience about it the whole time, and in our society, that is a punishable offence. No excuses for plotting to kill her children's father, and letting murderers lose in society!
1
I don't think anyone is making excuses for her, in fact she's not making excuses for herself either. She is indeed guilty as charged, charmed and con'ed by the untoward attention of the two inmates. She should have backed off, but she didn't, and she's paying the price for it. Too bad that this 51yo woman is bored with her life and wants some excitement to spice it up, which she would get for the rest of her life, want or not. That's the moral of the story.
1
I would use exactly the same reasoning for a man who was lured in by a charismatic con man. If you have never spent time in an isolated rural community where the economy has been dead in the water for generations, you can't imagine how limited most of the residents are in terms of education, prospects for the future, and exposure to the wider world.
A woman or gay man from one of these communities is a sitting duck for a sweet-talking dude who puts romance and excitement into an otherwise dreary life. Likewise, a lonely man who had never had any adventures or masculine camaraderie could be easily recruited if the escapees had simply treated him like a bro and painted a glamorous picture of life on the run.
A woman or gay man from one of these communities is a sitting duck for a sweet-talking dude who puts romance and excitement into an otherwise dreary life. Likewise, a lonely man who had never had any adventures or masculine camaraderie could be easily recruited if the escapees had simply treated him like a bro and painted a glamorous picture of life on the run.
2
To be completely honest, I don't know what to think. On one hand, I understand what it's like to have low self esteem and be desperate for love, and I therefore feel for her because she was manipulated and used by people that gave her the only thing she wanted - romantic/sexual attention.
On the other hand, she set two convicted felons free, and could that could have resulted in somebody being killed.
I don't know. I feel like a the lowest end of her range of possible prison sentences is most appropriate. 2 and a half or 3 years, rather than anything close to 7. And she should also get therapy.
On the other hand, she set two convicted felons free, and could that could have resulted in somebody being killed.
I don't know. I feel like a the lowest end of her range of possible prison sentences is most appropriate. 2 and a half or 3 years, rather than anything close to 7. And she should also get therapy.
83
She is married, Justin.
Justin,
I've never broken a law and never cheated on my tax return, and I can't afford therapy. How is it sensible that I should subsidize her therapy?
I've never broken a law and never cheated on my tax return, and I can't afford therapy. How is it sensible that I should subsidize her therapy?
3
What is "low self esteem"?
1
she cost the state millions and millions. she is an insult to honest corrections offiicials and workers. she put milliions of NY'ers in harms way while cops were diverted looking for the skells.
She deserves way more than 7. IF that's the deal, she better get the max.
She deserves way more than 7. IF that's the deal, she better get the max.
63
Wait, HONEST correction officials and workers, please tell me more. Then tell me "whats a unicorn?"
1
1%er
Are you speaking from first-hand experience? I heard that you were released from Riker's last month.
regards
Are you speaking from first-hand experience? I heard that you were released from Riker's last month.
regards
It never ceases to amaze me how many women pine for men behind bars. It isn't limited to those who work directly with them on a daily basis either. A number of women correspond regularly with prisoners by mail, and some of them even get married to them and bear them children as well. I can only think that on some level these women themselves harbor ill will towards people and the society they live in, and may not be willing to admit this to themselves. Rescue fantasies are also probably involved as well: my love will be so powerful, my man will be transformed into an upright citizen.
In this case, Ms. Mitchell chickened out at the last hour, and it probably saved her life, as others in the comments have suggested. Also surprising: her husband said he has no intentions of divorcing her. This, too, could be a fatal mistake on his part. "For better and for worse, for richer and for poorer..."
30
Does it ever amaze you, how many men are behind bars for women to pine for? Also, Casey Anthony had her male fan club.
1
@Laura in Florida: Well, not really, although you have a point about men being interested in female prisoners as well. I thought Jodi Arias was kind of hot for a while there, and she's a complete sociopath. I am not proud of this fact, either.
1
I guess I'm wondering whether there will be consequences for her sexual/physical relationship with the inmates. Inmates can't consent to sexual contact, so it's interesting to see that the article (and maybe the charges) only focused on her assistance with the escape.
37
Double standard maybe?
15
Interesting conjecture. This precisely where the legally presumed inability to consent leads us. Moreover, regardless of the personal dynamics, she held a position of authority over him.
She raped Matt. Is this where the law of consent really wants to go?
She raped Matt. Is this where the law of consent really wants to go?
12
Most assuredly, yes. Penal Law 130.05(3) says " A person is deemed incapable of consent when he or she is... committed to the care and custody or supervision of the state department of corrections... and the actor is an employee." The law was written precisely for situations such as this. You may not agree with it, but that is where the legislature wants the law of consent to go.
2
An old story. An easily manipulated woman of low self esteem. Matt and Sweat didn't even have to be clever about it.
57
I haven't heard her speak, but I have to wonder about her level of intelligence.
17
She is a corrections officer and a state worker, there's your answer to level of intelligence.
1
As to the two convicts. They got what they deserved. Besides the over selling of the police forces involved in what upper New York State looks like (in the summer anyways) they lasted fairly long.
Leave the accomplise alone. The woman obviously lead a boring life.
She realized her error when the boys looked at each other and wondered where the get away car went too.
Leave the accomplise alone. The woman obviously lead a boring life.
She realized her error when the boys looked at each other and wondered where the get away car went too.
1
A "boring life" does not excuse her actions. She's an adult, not a child.
Criminal escorts. The men didn't have to really disarm her, for she wasn't really armed against advances. She was choosy, opting for one of the two, for reasons that she let known. Still, she sounds like a victim, because the older man knew how to control her.
6
So are men a victim when beautiful women know how to control them? Or is there a double standard?
12
I'd say yes. I'd also say that it's important to remember that it's not a binary situation where a person must be categorized as either criminal or victim with no "both of the above" option. She is a victim, *and* she is a criminal.
The men weren't older. She and Mr. Matt were in their late 40s; the other man was younger. Painting her as a victim infantilizes all women.
1
Why are there comments allowed on this article? It seems like nothing but a gratuitous and easy opportunity for people to heap scorn on a lost, sad soul. I haven't read the comments but I can easily imagine then. Let those without fault cast judgment.
44
Well, Fritz, it's because the comments are moderated and this is America and you're not the boss of the rest of us.
You're welcome.
Now, I really don't think she should ever get out of prison. Sad, lost soul? Cry me a river. It's only by the grace of god and the hyper vigilance of the police that her boyfriend "Inmate Matt" didn't get the chance to kill a trooper.
You're welcome.
Now, I really don't think she should ever get out of prison. Sad, lost soul? Cry me a river. It's only by the grace of god and the hyper vigilance of the police that her boyfriend "Inmate Matt" didn't get the chance to kill a trooper.
39
I don't agree with your characterization of the characters involved in this tale of anti-social criminality, but I do wonder about which articles are allowed readers' comments and which are not and why. I notice that virtually none of the PR pieces done for Hillary Clinton allow comments, whereas any column by Maureen Dowd that criticizes the Clintons or Obama allows comments and they are largely vitriolic towards Dowd. I do not see any consistent or sensible pattern for when reader comments are allowed and when they are not. Otherwise, I do not share your point of view about this prison escape and those involved. I don't think most people would even consider doing what Mitchell did, regardless of one's perception of being "without fault."
2
Police were shot at because of her. Communities were terrified for weeks. The prisoners were murderers...how do you think the families of their victims felt? Were they terrified?
If the inmates were women, and the accomplice were a man would you be so charitable?
If the inmates were women, and the accomplice were a man would you be so charitable?
1
It's incredibly disturbing and sad that humans can get so badly off track that they cause themselves, their victims, and society so much unnecessary grief and pain. Recently, an article appeared In the NY Times about the tumultuous abusive developmental backgrounds of both Matt and Sweat. It's apparent that Ms. Mitchell also comes from dysfunction. Healthy, well adjusted people don't act-out like that. Prevention is the key. But that requires a solid early foundation and proper respectful care and treatment.. Unfortunately, it's a key that fails to open many doors. Our huge prison system is a reflection of that societal/familial failure.
46
You can't fix stupidity. She is not the only woman who has fallen for the con of a convict. There are a lot of women who fall in love and even marry lifers because they have found their "true love". Actually, they are such losers that the convict is their only love. I have never heard of a woman falling for a convict when she has a real man on the outside.
She may be stupid but she doesn't deserve an leniency. Because of her stupidity, millions of taxpayer dollars were wasted looking for these dregs of society. She agreed to having her husband killed. It was only her panic attack which prevented her from fully carrying out her crimes. She deserves nothing less than life without parole.
She may be stupid but she doesn't deserve an leniency. Because of her stupidity, millions of taxpayer dollars were wasted looking for these dregs of society. She agreed to having her husband killed. It was only her panic attack which prevented her from fully carrying out her crimes. She deserves nothing less than life without parole.
36
at the least, she should be required to work for the State until she repays the $$$ spent on the search, capture, and prison damage. May well be until the end of her life... who cares?
2
Would you say the same thing it was a women's prison and the guard was a man, who had sex with female inmates, then provided tools and assisted their escape planning to keep the female inmates for sexual pleasure?
2
The women who fall for this kind of thing are lonely -- usually don't have a satisfying romantic or love life -- if married, their marriage is stale or dead. They are typically middle aged (though not always) and plain looking -- the kind of woman who does not draw much attention, doesn't get flirted with or have opportunities for romance in the real world.
The intensity of a clandestine relationship is unbelievably powerful. Add to that, most of these prisoners are sociopaths -- used to charming and lying to family, parents, children, employers etc. along their descent into a criminal life.
It is just a plain terrible idea to put women in jobs in such an environment. It's emotionally and physically dangerous and stupid. I cannot imagine a straight man who would have fallen for this scheme.
The intensity of a clandestine relationship is unbelievably powerful. Add to that, most of these prisoners are sociopaths -- used to charming and lying to family, parents, children, employers etc. along their descent into a criminal life.
It is just a plain terrible idea to put women in jobs in such an environment. It's emotionally and physically dangerous and stupid. I cannot imagine a straight man who would have fallen for this scheme.
Shouldn't Ms. Mitchell have faced felony murder charges? A person died as a result of her actions in assisting in this prison escape. Without her assistance, the escape would not have occurred. These inmates were under the care of the State of New York, and its Corrections system should have seen to it that they remained securely in their cell blocks, where they belonged. It is miraculous that one of the hundreds of law enforcement officers who braved rain, insects, heat, cold and impenetrable terrain did not also perish. The power that corrections staff wield over inmates cannot be overstated. A harsher sentence would have underscored the duty the staff have to maintain highest standards of treatment and integrity within the prisons.
38
Are you referring to Matt's being shot and called while a fugitive? Felony murder charges would only make sense if the death were a murder, which it wasn't.
2
Re felony murder: In New York State it doesn't apply when the deceased is one of the perpetrators: "[...]he, or another participant, if there be any, causes the death of a person other than one of the participants" (http://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/2006/penal/pen0125.25_125.25.html)
2
She is a sympathetic person and hard to see giving her hard time. Everyone is human and gets lured into things.
35
Really? She was a co-conspirator in the planned murder of her husband and she let loose upon the populace two dangerous men who would kill without a thought. And you find her sympathetic? I find her merely pathetic, at best. She knew where she worked -- not at a Sunday School, at a goddamn prison! I have to wonder at the personnel screening process that allows such an easily manipulated person -- and one with no moral compass -- to work in a state penitentiary.
17
Good. If she's so sympathetic, when she gets out in a few years, she can earn money cleaning your house or babysitting for someone in your family.
5
Oh Mary! Darwin is churning in his grave.
1
It's odd to read comments about the cost of the manhunt along side demands that Ms. Mitchell be given a long sentence at taxpayers expense. She'd not the first person to be manipulated in this way. The inmates took advantage of her weakness, but she did the right thing in the end. Of course she should be punished, but giving her a long sentence won't accomplish anything. It's not as if she's going to make a career of helping prisoners escape.
199
Punishment can have only two functions:
1. Teach a lesson.
2. Deter others.
Teaching a lesson to a 51yo dimwit is a monkey business.
A light sentence is a poor deterrence.
Logically the only sensible thing is to give the max term in solitary confinement, if possible. Such deterrent could have one and a half tooth. Maybe.
1. Teach a lesson.
2. Deter others.
Teaching a lesson to a 51yo dimwit is a monkey business.
A light sentence is a poor deterrence.
Logically the only sensible thing is to give the max term in solitary confinement, if possible. Such deterrent could have one and a half tooth. Maybe.
3
The longer sentence does accomplish something; it serves as a deterrent to other prison employees and inmate visitors around the country who might consider facilitating escapes.
3
Having a panic attack is NOT the same thing as"doing the right thing in the end."
1
Congratulations people of New York. Your tax dollars at work.
6
I have covered American, British and Australian jails and priosns, including undercover infiltration, since the 60's. Even though many hardened criminals MUST be isolated from society I have personally seen sadistic and extremely cruel behavior towards prisoners by overzealous and personally angered facilities employees !
I have reached the conclusion that jails and prisons serve NO real purpose in today's World. They should all be demolished and more humanistic and rehabilitation approaches instituted. Taxpayers are overburdened with multi-billion $ expenses from arrest through punishments.....there has to be better
solutions beyond society's revenge !
I have reached the conclusion that jails and prisons serve NO real purpose in today's World. They should all be demolished and more humanistic and rehabilitation approaches instituted. Taxpayers are overburdened with multi-billion $ expenses from arrest through punishments.....there has to be better
solutions beyond society's revenge !
19
Check into what Norway is doing... but it's unlikely such rehabilitation would ever be tried here: we're too self-righteous and bent on punishment to try to rehabilitate people. So we merely perpetuate the problem, rather than solve it. As a result we can't build prisons fast enough... and sooner or later all these prisoners are going to be returned to society, not only un-rehabilitated but further inculcated in a criminal mindset by years of often sadistic treatment.
7
"there has to be better solutions beyond society's revenge !"
Funny thing, Paul, is that for many millennia not a single human being has found that better solution. People figured out atom structure, genetic code, space, time, and speed, mechanisms of memory...
but nobody has figured out your "better solution"... wonder why?
There's none.
Funny thing, Paul, is that for many millennia not a single human being has found that better solution. People figured out atom structure, genetic code, space, time, and speed, mechanisms of memory...
but nobody has figured out your "better solution"... wonder why?
There's none.
2
you are partly correct about the overburdened expenses. Criminals of all types should be outsourced to Chinese, N. Korean and Mexican prisons to serve out their time. The cost to us would be minimal.
1
A sad story.
31
Is it really necessary to put that woman in leg and iron locks?
27
Yes.
8
Yep,...sure is,....
5
Humiliation is part of the punishment
2
The money spent on the search and the danger inflicted is a very serious consequence or her delusion. But if I were the sentencing judge, I am afraid I would go light on her and look for a creative, constructive solution to bringing her back into a productive life. She is, to a large degree, the victim of an unreasonably dangerous work place, for which adequate measures were not taken to protect a vulnerable worker in a grim environment. What she did was uncharacteristic in her life, and the grief and shame she faces are surely extreme. I think she is owed therapy to help her recover from a devastating failure of judgment that will haunt her. Prisons are placed in backward rural areas, giving the people there an income in exchange for functioning in a degraded, depressing environment. If we want the prison industrial complex, and we want cheap labor for it, we should at least be humane to those workers overmatched with cunning criminals.
533
Completely agree.
10
What an excellent comment. Maybe the best I've ever seen here.
15
This brings up the question of our prison system. Is it really wise to have women working in all male prisons, especially if this is not the only time motivated convicts have tried to charm prison workers?
9
I consider myself a liberal, but why aren't violent felons, like Matt and Sweat, breaking rocks or performing some other punishing physical labor from sunup to sundown? Prisons should exhaust these guys for six days and then let them rest or read or paint on the seventh day -- no access to people, the weight room or TV. Then their only desire would be a good night's sleep.
120
Liberal.
Uh huh.
Uh huh.
7
Be assured that under those circumstances, "their only desire" would not be a good night's sleep. It would likely be an outlet for their rage.
1
SS,
when you're worked to the point of having hard time crawling onto your bunk, there's no rage or anything left but a wish to lie down and close your eyes. There are accounts of a harsh forced labor in USSR, China.
Makes me wonder how many of the commenters have ever done hard physical labor. Or is an hour on a treadmill is your idea of exhaustion? Or having no money for McDonald's your idea of hunger?
when you're worked to the point of having hard time crawling onto your bunk, there's no rage or anything left but a wish to lie down and close your eyes. There are accounts of a harsh forced labor in USSR, China.
Makes me wonder how many of the commenters have ever done hard physical labor. Or is an hour on a treadmill is your idea of exhaustion? Or having no money for McDonald's your idea of hunger?
1
The moment I saw her on television, I knew her excuse would be that she thought she was in love. How low must your self esteem be to orally copulate a prisoner? And a murderer at that. My first thought in dealing with someone who is incarcerated would be that they are only interested in what I could do for them, because they certainly could do nothing for me.
84
Love and romance are funny things. They make fools of even sophisticated, educated people, and I seriously doubt Ms. Mitchell was either of those things.
She was lonely, aging and vulnerable and they probably read her like a book, and took advantage of her. Con artists are very clever at sussing out this quality in people -- it's why they can do what they do.
She was lonely, aging and vulnerable and they probably read her like a book, and took advantage of her. Con artists are very clever at sussing out this quality in people -- it's why they can do what they do.
1
Frankly, I'm surprised prison officials didn't see the potential set up: a middle aged woman on the prison staff courted with the attentions of younger male prisoners, particularly Richard Matt, who was known as a charismatic con man who had a way with women. Just goes to show that prison security isn't all about locked gates, high walls and armed guards. It also about the psychological vulnerabilities of staff as well. In any case, it's a good thing Ms. Mitchell lost her nerve. Had she provided the getaway vehicle and gone off with Sweat and Matt, there's a very good chance she might not have survived and possibly been murdered when her usefulness came to an end. I suspect she realized, regardless how she felt about Matt, that he was dangerous and she would be foolish to trust him.
280
No Chris, this is a deep systemic problem.
Under pressure from the 'feel good about my kindness at others' expense" crowd we have turned our correctional facilities into one star hotels with free ed and healthcare to boot.
Correctional facilities should be a place of an extremely hard and hazardous forced labor. The taxpayer is entitled to some return on their hard earned buck.
Under pressure from the 'feel good about my kindness at others' expense" crowd we have turned our correctional facilities into one star hotels with free ed and healthcare to boot.
Correctional facilities should be a place of an extremely hard and hazardous forced labor. The taxpayer is entitled to some return on their hard earned buck.
2
I don't want to excuse the prison for putting a woman in the way of a murderer who had already used his charismatic style to lure in victims, but her husband worked there too. I'm sure they thought they had a stable marriage and nice family, so why would she do anything to damage that? Thy were wrong, of course, but to all observing eyes up to the escape and her part in it, they had no reason to be suspicious. Her husband, in an interview on NBC, said she would have been dead in half an hour, had she met them as planned.
1
I pity this poor woman. so lacking in self esteem. How could you not? She'll serve her deserved time. Go back to bed, you righteous....,.
23
I pity us taxpayers, who subsidized this poor woman's raucous adventures.
How come nobody ever pays for my nights out? Sweet dreams to you too...
How come nobody ever pays for my nights out? Sweet dreams to you too...
1
Excellent comment. We should all pity this woman. But choices have consequences and she needs to face hers.
2
The lack of training and oversight in this prison is stunning. How could anyone like this woman, interacting daily with prisoners and supervising them at work, not have undergone frequent training about the pitfalls? She seems to have had absolutely no thought for consequences, including the likelihood that these men would kill her as soon as possible. Let alone that she was freeing and arming two dangerous killers, setting them loose in her own community.
And she wasn't the only one! Look at the employee who let them go on the catwalk behind the cells so they could jury-rig the wiring to cook in their cells (against rules). New York State needs a thorough investigation and audit of how it is hiring, training and supervising civilian employees.
And she wasn't the only one! Look at the employee who let them go on the catwalk behind the cells so they could jury-rig the wiring to cook in their cells (against rules). New York State needs a thorough investigation and audit of how it is hiring, training and supervising civilian employees.
359
Thank you. It is sensible to identify the underlying problem; nonsensical to excuse behavior that should be clear to any adult.
1
And how it is paying them. Many STEM PhDs can only dream of the household income enjoyed by Ms Mitchell and her husband, who also is a prison worker.
We as a society are throwing so much money down the drain on incarceration.
We as a society are throwing so much money down the drain on incarceration.
1
Do they have special training to deal with one's own lonely hearts, or how to deal with boredom in domestic life? That's what this woman would have needed.
4
People who think the world falls easily into the good guys and the bad guys are flummoxed when they have to account for someone like this. This woman has probably never done anything bad to anyone in her life, but she is psychologically weak, suggestible, and easily manipulated. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people like her, and they are great enablers of sociopaths and psychopaths. I suspect this woman had the emotional acumen of a 10 year old.
119
Not entirely fair.
Even those who aren't easily manipulated can fall victim to a sociopath, because they're very, very good at manipulation.
Even those who aren't easily manipulated can fall victim to a sociopath, because they're very, very good at manipulation.
15
A married woman -- probably not a very good marriage -- she has a tough, stressful job -- she's older, not beautiful (probably never was) -- it's been years since her husband or ANY man has sweet-talked her, flirted, made promises, made her feel special or pretty or important.
Now she has TWO men at her beck and call, dependent on her, feeding her lines, kissing her, asking for oral sex, etc.
BTW: similar non-criminal stuff goes on, with internet chat and dating sites all the time. It is incredibly tempting to step out of one's boring, ordinary life of work and obscurity, and feel special -- or as if you were on an adventure.
The down side is that all ends in such tawdry shame, usually making everything in the woman's life exponentially worse.
Now she has TWO men at her beck and call, dependent on her, feeding her lines, kissing her, asking for oral sex, etc.
BTW: similar non-criminal stuff goes on, with internet chat and dating sites all the time. It is incredibly tempting to step out of one's boring, ordinary life of work and obscurity, and feel special -- or as if you were on an adventure.
The down side is that all ends in such tawdry shame, usually making everything in the woman's life exponentially worse.
4
A chump, in other words. So how harsh should her sentence be in your
view? Some comments have urged leniency; others strictness.
view? Some comments have urged leniency; others strictness.
1
Well she got a different life albeit more than she bargained for. Many of New York State's prisons are in economically depressed rural communities and compared to the streetwise thugs inside the prison staff are often rubes. There is plenty of trafficking in contraband, sharing of food and other favors - as human beings thrown in together for long stretches relationships develop but inmates are usually more cunning and manipulative.
76
Riker's Island is hardly rural and the same things go on there so it must be a bit more complicated than that.
10
Corrections Officers are taught during training that inmates are incredibly manipulative. They spend their endless hours watching prison employees and targeting the ones that seem weak or vulnerable. Why a civilian was a “supervisor” of inmates is a question that needs to be answered. What kind of training did this woman receive?
Governor Cuomo has closed prisons and increased the prisoner to officer ratio to dangerous and unsustainable levels. It was only a matter of time before something like this happened.
Governor Cuomo has closed prisons and increased the prisoner to officer ratio to dangerous and unsustainable levels. It was only a matter of time before something like this happened.
237
Why are there women in all male prisons anyways? Political correctness? Sometimes common sense should override political correctness.
9
She was 51, arguably at her sexual peak but stuck in a boring sexless marriage to a who works with her all day. She would have fallen for any man that could bring her to life.
2
Yes, you are right. We need more prisons, and more people in those prisons so the taxpayers get their money's worth, and more jobs as prison guards will be created (you must love the Chris Christie-types who actively benefit from the prison industry).
1
I don't like stereotyping people, I try to give everyone a fair chance and benefit of the doubt. That being said, I must admit if you get a good look at Ms. Mitchell, it’s pretty tempting to attach phrases like: “easily duped” “living in a fantasy” “low self-esteem” “desperate” -- well you know what I mean…
14
No, I don't know what you mean. She looks like an ordinary person to me. How about you spell it out.
43
All that just from her appearance?
That's pretty impressive.
That's pretty impressive.
30
You mean a woman, and therefore deserving of light sentence, and not a man?
4
Maximum of only 7 years for helping two convicted murderers escape? It should be 30 years.
38
Why?
Will she be any more rehabilitated in year 30 then, say, year 25?
Sentencing is completely ludicrous in most cases.
More vindictive then anything else.
Will she be any more rehabilitated in year 30 then, say, year 25?
Sentencing is completely ludicrous in most cases.
More vindictive then anything else.
25
I think she may be guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. I don't want to sound "vindictive" but I think a long prison sentence is completely appropriate for such a crime.
14
I think she is fortunate that no lives were lost by these murderers. Her sentence would have been much different were that to happen. She should count her lucky stars that her sentence is only 2-7.
11
I'm not someone who often complains about use of "my tax dollars" but I cannot believe I had to contribute to the manhunt this woman cost tax payers and now have to contribute to her incarceration costs. Hers is a very sad and pathetic story.
187
Taxpayers bearing the costs? That's why the death penalty has been expanded to sumnary executions for a) selling cigarettes b) refusal to extinguish a deadly weapon: a lit cigarette and c) shoplifting , with or without the executioner's prior knowledge.
Wait...am I missing something?
Wait...am I missing something?
8
Playing with a toy gun and walking while armed with skittles and ice tea
5
Not to mention her visit to the emergency room and her overnight stay for her 'attack of nerves' the night of the escape.
It is only luck that prevented these two men from killing again.
It is only luck that prevented these two men from killing again.
2
I don't mean to say this in a dismissive way, but did Ms. Mitchell think they wouldn't have gotten rid of her as soon as it was expedient?
260
I wonder if that was behind the panic attack. It was all a fun fantasy until that day. Once they really got out she had to know they would have no reason to keep her alive.
29
Clearly she did.
3
Had she had that much insight, she would not have gotten into the mess in the first place.
6
Prisons in solitary locations isolate inmates from their families. It puts the guards and the staff into isolation, too. They work crazy shifts, and it seems to drive them almost crazy. It's a recipe for divorce, petty crime, drug smuggling, etc. There was an NYT article about a Finnish prison that was trying a new way. It would be hard, but we need prison reform here, too, for all of our sakes. "Out of sight, out of mind" doesn't work.
92
Nice, soft spoken housewife? I think this is a soft-ball comment because of her race. Had she been black or hispanic; well we all know. She would have been a hardened criminal for the things she did.
She colluded, made purchases of items that could be used as weapons, had unethical relations and aided, abetted and planned (accompanied) their escape.
Thanks for printing the article, but please NYTimes, no sympathy for this woman.
She colluded, made purchases of items that could be used as weapons, had unethical relations and aided, abetted and planned (accompanied) their escape.
Thanks for printing the article, but please NYTimes, no sympathy for this woman.
29
I believe the panic attack saved her life. If she furnished a car and the tools they needed after the escape, why would they need her? I believe she would have been killed and maybe dismembered.
223
I think that "panic attack" was self induced and a way out for her. Since when do panic attacks require an overnight stay in the hospital?
1
Given that anxiety, or panic attacks, can cause symptoms that are very similar to those of life-threatening problems, the fact that Ms. Mitchell was kept overnight is not a surprise. It is actually a testament to good medical care at whatever facility treated her. Anxiety induced attacks can cause palpitations, chest pain, profuse sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness/ faintness, a sensation of choking, and a profound fear that one is dying. To the person suffering an intense panic attack, it can be very like a heart attack in intensity and in the sense of doom/mortality. The symptoms are so similar that ruling out cardiac issues is critical before one is sent home with medications to calm the nerves. Panic attacks definitely warrant an overnight stay in hospital, especially if this was a first occurence.
5
And given their shortage of food, she might have been eaten after being dismembered!
1
I'm reminded of the myriad of true-life shows and Lifetime movies about women falling in love with men behind bars who have committed multiple heinous crimes. I've never understood prison penpals, and I still don't. But aren't there still women who are enamoured with Charles Manson?
Ah, the human psyche, and its ability to be swayed beyond all sense. Still a mystery.
Ah, the human psyche, and its ability to be swayed beyond all sense. Still a mystery.
96
There was a young woman all set to marry Charles Manson, he turned her down.
3
I get SO incredibly sick of women saying about miscreants, swindlers and murderers, "he made me feel special". I know WAY too many women who don't care if their male interest is mean, childish, or worse to them, as long as he pays attention to them. Disgusts me people could be so controlled by the desire to want affection that they'd let someone abuse them. I was emotionally and physically abused by a mate - I left...
75
Ah, a prison romance... How charming.
The taxpayer is out several dozen million spent on the chase.
And she'll get only a couple of years--less than some dope caught selling an ounce of weed on a street corner.
The taxpayer is out several dozen million spent on the chase.
And she'll get only a couple of years--less than some dope caught selling an ounce of weed on a street corner.
258
That does not mean she should get MORE time. It means the "dope caught selling an ounce of weed on a street corner" should get LESS time.
6
Just for once, to heck with your (and others') bitterness about paying taxes. This is about a sad, vulnerable, uneducated woman being whose life is now ruined because she wanted to feel special and loved - possibly for the first and only time in her life. What she did was wrong and she needs to be punished for it - but let's not forget to be humane. And for heaven's sake get over the fact that we all pay taxes. It's the cost of living in a society full of deeply flawed beings (aka, humans).
4
How she could not have known she was expendable the moment the prisoners were out of the prison is beyond me. Yeah he was charming. Most psychopaths are when they want something .
113
Gerry, did you notice that she was not there to meet them?
11
What a colossal waste of a life. While I appreciate her willingness to take responsibility, I share little sympathy for her plight. Her social fantasies could have resulted in people being killed....and to me, enabling two such dangerous criminals to escape should have merited a longer term.
154
I hope she gets the max and is forced to repay every cent of taxpayer's money that was spent on the chase. She's lucky they didn't kill "the glitch" or she'd be facing time for accomplice to murder.
37
She has already been sentenced to 2 and a third to 7 years. Chances are she will get out in 2 and a third.
Good Lord! This woman sounds like she was severely lacking a good sense of her self. I feel very sorry for her husband and for her kids (if she has any).
Think of all the time, money and effort this manhunt cost. Just bc this silly woman was in loooooove.
Sheesh!
Think of all the time, money and effort this manhunt cost. Just bc this silly woman was in loooooove.
Sheesh!
51
They don't hire rocket scientists for these jobs, and psychopaths are very good at mimicking empathy. And, seriously, have you been to Plattsburgh?
86
Hey! That's my hometown you're picking on, pal! Besides, the prison is in Dannemora, miles and miles (okay, just a few) away from Plattsburgh.
6
Sorry for the cheap shot; I've been to Plattsburgh. It is in a lovely part of the country. But rural life can get pretty closed in, especially in the winter, and I don't think the area is well-to-do, at any rate. Cumulatively, that can be pretty depressing.
2
How about writing about how Cuomo has decimated the state workforce, especially in the prison system? No hiring, facilities that were outdated and he ignored all correspondence regarding the issue for years. More patronage jobs and you wonder why the prisoners broke out?
30
This is a great story for a Hollywood Movie!
10
Actually, such a movie would be fairly mundane and conventional.
1
[[pkbormes Brookline, MA
Actually, such a movie would be fairly mundane and conventional.]]
Ugh! Such pessimism!!!! Here, read this. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061809/
Actually, such a movie would be fairly mundane and conventional.]]
Ugh! Such pessimism!!!! Here, read this. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061809/
1
This woman was a willing accomplice but also was conned along the way. She was a means to an end, and I find it unlikely that they cared for her. I still think these two prisoners would have killed her had she met up with them.
117
We all joke about self-delusion and politicians, but self-delusion is not a joke at all. For all the people who must have been terribly scared with two killers on the loose, this woman deserves all the jail time that she'll receive.
47