Criminal Justice

2nd Man Who Escaped Federal Prison by Climbing Down 15 Stories on Bedsheet Rope Is Captured

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A second man who escaped a fortress-like federal prison in downtown Chicago last month by climbing 15 stories down its facade on a makeshift rope made of bedsheets has been captured.

Although the resulting federal manhunt had reportedly gone nationwide, Kenneth Conley, a convicted bank robber, was found Friday in the south suburbs of Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The daring escape down the exterior of the building was caught by a security camera, but the guard assigned to watch the monitors may have been called away on other duties, the newspaper says, citing an unidentified high-ranking prison worker. One news account included comments from a union official saying that a reduction in staffing at the Metropolitan Correctional Center may have led to a reduction in security measures.

Additional coverage:

ABAJournal.com: “Convicted Bank Robbers Escape Federal Prison in Chicago, Climb Down 15 Floors Using Bedsheets”

ABAJournal.com: “Feds Drop Escape Charge re Inmate’s Daring 15-Story Climb Down Chicago Prison Facade”

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