By C1 Staff
MADERA COUNTY, Calif. — Freedom may have been fleeting for five escapees from the Madera County jail, but their breakout is raising concerns about security at the facility.
KFSN reports that the inmates broke out through an old section of the jail, where 100 inmates are normally housed. Those inmates have since been moved to other areas, causing a space issue.
One inmate tunneled out from his housing unit to a common room, loosened a bar and broke through a window to escape. The four others followed behind him.
Originally, officials thought the inmates had damaged a new section of the jail, but it has been confirmed that they escaped through an older section.
Very little information has been released, including what tool was used to dig or how much damage was caused to the facility. It’s also unknown when that part of the facility will reopen. The information is being withheld for the safety of corrections officers, according to Madera County Department of Corrections Chief Manuel Perez.
The breakout is being investigated both criminally and internally.