Emergency meeting at prison where inmate escaped; 2 correctional officers on leave

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. — The Board of Directors at a maximum security prison in Rhode Island called for an emergency meeting Thursday to discuss security matters after an inmate escaped.

The manhunt for James Morales has been ongoing since Saturday night. The 35-year-old escaped from the Wyatt Detention Facility after climbing up a razor wire fence and jumping across the roof tops of several buildings.

FOX25 has learned that, on the night Morales escaped, workers at the detention facility had been working as many as 80 hours per week. A union official said the prison works at bare minimum staffing and requires officers to work overtime.

Two correctional officers assigned to the area Morales escaped from have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

Morales had been sent to the Wyatt Detention Facility for allegedly stealing 16 guns from the Worcester armory.

FOCUS ON FRAMINGHAM

Residents in Framingham are urged to be on the lookout for Morales.  After allegedly stealing a car in Attleboro Saturday evening, officers believe Morales may have ditched the car in Framingham, where he may have been trying to contact an ex-girlfriend.

One Framingham woman described her worry to FOX25 after Morales banged on her door. "He was banging pretty loud...it seemed like someone was really mad," resident Vanessa Luco said. Morales was able to break down a back door, but never fully made it inside.

PRIOR CHARGES

FOX25 has learned that, prior to his arrest for allegedly stealing guns, Morales was arrested in Cambridge for "rape of a child" and "indecent assault and battery" charges.

If you see Morales, DO NOT APPROACH HIM and call 911 immediately.

>> Man arrested for theft of 16 firearms from Worcester armory>>

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Cox Media Group