LIMA, Ohio — Corrective measures were implemented at the Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution nearly seven months after two incarcerated people - Bradley Gillespie and James Lee - escaped, leading to an extensive search in which Lee was again apprehended and Gillespie died.
According to a final report from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction issued Friday, an investigation found that several procedures had not been followed. Specifically, ODRC leadership said the four officers who worked in the units where Lee and Gillespie were housed did not follow "proper procedures" when conducting counts.
The department investigation also said a supervisor failed to ensure a proper recount was conducted after discovering a discrepancy in the May 22 evening count, several hours after Gillespie and Lee had last been seen on security footage. By the time it was discovered the two were missing, a full 24 hours had passed since they were last accounted for in the facility.
Additionally, the investigation found that objects had been placed under the blanket on Gillespie's bed, giving the appearance that someone was sleeping on the bed.
Another key finding of the investigation pertained to the open-top dumpster in which Gillespie and Lee hid to escape the prison. According to the report, the presence of the open-top dumpster depended on the count procedure being properly and accurately conducted, which ODRC said it was not.
Following the investigation, prison administrators and ODRC leaders met to determine corrective measures and actions to prevent further escape incidents. ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith reinforced to Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution staff the importance of accurate counts while an extensive review and assessment of security procedures was conducted at the facility and across the agency.
The Department of Corrections investigation also determined the open-top dumpster was removed and replaced with a sealed trash compactor, additional security video cameras were installed and accessibility to some areas of the facility was reduced.
Additional corrective security measures were implemented, ODRC said, but the details of them will remain undisclosed to "bolster the safety and security of [its] institutions."
Administrative actions were also taken. Immediately following the incident, four corrective officers and the chief of security were placed on leave. Since then, one of the officers who was placed on leave died unexpectedly, the Department of Corrections said.
Ultimately, one corrective officer was removed from duty entirely, while two others remained on leave and were presented with pre-disciplinary packet to determine whether disciplinary action is warranted. A captain was also presented with a pre-disciplinary packet.
The facility's chief of security was returned to duty from administrative leave without any further action, the report said.
The incident began on May 23 when Lee was discovered missing at 11:15 a.m. during a count. Further investigation determined Gillespie was also missing. Before their escape, both men had last been seen Monday - the day prior - at 8:41 a.m. on surveillance video at the prison prior to their escape, ODRC said.
After escaping the facility via the dumpster, Lee and Gillespie fled.
Authorities later apprehended Lee, 47, following a pursuit of a stolen vehicle in Henderson, Ky. Lee, who was originally convicted of burglary, breaking and entering, and safecracking, pleaded guilty in October to evading police, wanton endangerment and receiving stolen property, crimes for which he will face an additional eight years in prison.
Lee is being held at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility.
On May 28, authorities located Gillespie's body in the Ohio River and pronounced him deceased. His cause of death was ruled drowning by the Henderson County Coroner's Office. Gillespie, 50, had been convicted of a Paulding County murder.
You can read the full investigative report from the ODRC below:
EARLIER COVERAGE FROM WTOL 11