CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

April 9, 2018

On April 7, 2018 the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office received information that several inmates were planning an escape from the Chaffee County Detention Facility. Further investigation revealed that the inmates planned their escape to take place over the same weekend by use of a tunneling system that they had reportedly dug at the detention facility.

The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office acted immediately after receiving this information. Additional staff was called in along with the Chaffee County/Salida Tac Team. Inmates within the detention Facility were placed on lock-down and a search of the jail was performed. Upon doing this search it was discovered that an attempt was being made to remove part of the ventilation system causing a large amount of damage to an isolated pod within the jail. By acting immediately and by way of discovering this damage a possible escape was thwarted by inmates housed in this pod.

An investigation into this attempt continues and possible escape charges could be forthcoming.

**For more information please contact Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze 719-539-2596.