Sleeping Guard, Tech Issues Led To Philly Prisoners' Escape: Reports

PHILADELPHIA — Authorities in Philadelphia have pinned the escape of two Philadelphia prison inmates on staffing and technology issues at a Northeast Philly correctional facility.

Nasir Grant, 24, and Ameen Hurst, 18, escaped the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

While the two were eventually taken into custody, authorities recently detailed issues at the facility that allowed their escape.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, one guard who was assigned to watch the cellblock Grant and Hurst were in had fallen asleep while on duty.

The DA's office said the guard fell asleep, then failed to conduct the prisoner counts.

Authorities said this is what allowed Grant and Nasir's escape to go unnoticed for 19 hours.

Additionally, NBC10 reports the DA's office said faulty cameras and motion sensor poles that had been deactivated for about 10 years contributed to the pair's escape.

Grant and Nasir were able to leave the facility though a fence hole that had been cut seven weeks before their escape, according to Fox 29.

Action News reports that one guard post in the cellblock was unattended and one guard had to watch two areas around the time of the escape.

Inmate Jose Flores-Huerta, 35, of Philadelphia, was charged with escape and conspiracy in connection with the incident, in which he is accused of acting as a lookout.

Authorities charged 21-year-old Xianni Stalling, 21, with conspiracy, hindering apprehension, and more crimes in connection with their escape. She is believed to have helped them find a ride after their escape.

Michael Abrams, 21, of Philadelphia, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Berwyn, Pennsylvania Monday. Abrams is charged with criminal conspiracy, hindering apprehension, escape, and use of a communication facility, court records show.