An inmate from DeKalb County Jail, Jamal Sanchez, 47, pulled off a daring escape while under medical care at Grady Memorial Hospital on Sunday, as confirmed by the Sheriff’s Office. Sanchez, nabbed on March 17 for charges including cocaine possession, obstruction, and loitering at a Chamblee construction site, required hospitalization for an undisclosed medical emergency since March 21, according to Atlanta News First.
This incident marks the third escape from the Atlanta healthcare facility in less than a year, igniting concerns about security measures in place, as another inmate Amy Hightower, remains at large after her March 12 escape, "They should not have been able to get away from a blind man with two peg legs," Atlanta City Council member Michael Bond said, highlighting the apparent lapses during a public safety committee meeting, with his thoughts detailed by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Bond also pointed a finger at minimal security outside the detention area and variable inmate housing as part of the security problem and suggested contracted state corrections employees bear some responsibility for the oversight failures, Sanchez’s escape method remains unclear and the search for him is ongoing, urging the public to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office with any information that could lead to his apprehension.
Grady Memorial Hospital spokesperson remarked on the policy for inmate supervision, stating, "The existing policy for inmates under treatment at the hospital is that the custodial law enforcement agency must have one-to-one oversight of them at all times," although it remains unanswered whether the policy was adhered to with the DeKalb County sheriff’s employee tasked with monitoring Sanchez, as it’s unclear if an investigation into the escape has been instigated, this was reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
In response to the escapes, an Atlanta Police Department (APD) spokesperson announced plans to increase the resources allocated to Grady, as the search for Hightower continues, and the investigation into her disappearance expected to conclude shortly.
