OVERSIGHT BY JAIL GUARDS LED TO ESCAPE ATTEMPT

Westmoreland County Officials said on Monday that it was an oversight by jail guards, not a malfunction of the jail locks, that led to an inmate’s escape attempt earlier this month.  The Trib reports that Warden Steve Pelesky said findings in a preliminary report incorrectly suggested the inmate tampered with the cell door when he stuffed paper into the locking mechanism which led guards to believe it was locked.  Officials said John Michael Crowe, 37, of the village of Rillton in Sewickley Township — walked out of his cell shortly after 3 a.m. on Aug. 12 when he confronted and exchanged punches with a guard. The guard was not seriously injured and was back at work the following day.  During the Jail Board meeting yesterday, three guards were fired but no explanation was given for their release.