Houston Chronicle
Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas — A convicted burglar slipped out of his prison unit to buy cigarettes, then returned unnoticed a short time later, authorities said, leading to a contraband search and further criticism of Texas prison security.
“It might be funny if it weren’t so absurd,” said state Sen. John Whitmire of Houston, chairman of a committee that oversees the prison system. “People shopping at a Walmart shouldn’t have to worry that the person standing next to them in line is supposed to be in a prison.”
Policies regarding trusties and how they are supervised are being reviewed, prison system spokeswoman Michelle Lyons said.
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