After a brief period of escape, Bobby M. Cotton, an inmate from the O‘ahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC), has been re-arrested. His arrest occurred at the Queen’s Medical Center on Saturday. According to the Office of the Governor, Cotton, 51, was supposed to return to OCCC Module 20 by 5 p.m. on Thursday after a job-seeking pass. Authorities, including the sheriff's deputies and the Honolulu Police Department, were alerted when he failed to report back.
After seeking medical attention at Queen's on Saturday, Cotton was recognized and arrested. According to a news release from the Office of the Governor, he was returned to OCCC at approximately 2:25 p.m. that same day. Cotton had been in custody for second-degree robbery and may now face charges for second-degree escape, a Class C felony that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison if convicted.
Earlier reports by Hoodline covered Cotton's initial disappearance. He is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 177 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Cotton did not return from his authorized leave from the low-security facility.
Following Cotton's capture, questions remain about the effectiveness of the work furlough program and the necessity of tighter controls. Cotton, a community custody inmate with the lowest classification status, had been granted certain liberties, highlighting potential risks in the program. As his case progresses and he faces the possibility of an additional felony charge, the OCCC is expected to review its procedures to prevent similar escapes in the future, focusing on both rehabilitation efforts and community safety.
