Mishaps Continue for Detention Center, Inmates Escape
By: Shernay Williams
Updated: October 21, 2012
EPPS -- The search is on for two inmates who escaped from the West Carroll Detention Center between 10:30 Friday night and 3:30 Saturday morning. Last year, two others escaped from the same facility in a similar fashion. And just this month, contraband was found there.
The West Carroll sheriff says the two men - 27-year-old Steven McCarthy and 31-year-old Henry Curtis -- broke a lock to a back door then used some type of sharp object to slash through an outside fence and run away.
"We think they left the community, left Epps soon after they were out," says West Carroll Parish Sheriff Jerry Philley.
Both were locked up for burglary. McCarthy has escaped before; he also has a simple escape charge.
It's unclear if the men had outside help because the facility doesn't have working surveillance cameras, according to the sheriff.
This concerns residents.
"Sounds like they need to increase their security," says Steve Hughes, an Epps resident.
Even though the detention center is operated by the private company, Emerald Enterprises, the Sheriff is responsible for finding escapees.
With another inmate escape at West Carroll Detention just last year and contraband found just weeks ago, the sheriff says this is one more reason he should take over.
"I'm the sheriff of the parish," he says. "I feel like I need to be running and managing the facility."
This is the second time Sheriff Philley has told NBC 10 he should run the facility.
See our coverage of the contraband shakedown at the West Carroll Detention Center and the firing of five detention center employees:
http://myarklamiss.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=165862
http://myarklamiss.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=164662
McCarthy and Curtis are considered non-violent, but if you believe you see these men, authorities say be cautious.
Steven McCarthy is described as a white male, 5'8 inches tall and 160 pounds.
Henry Curtis is a white male between 5'6 and 5'7 inches tall and 195 pounds.
Anyone with information should call the West Carroll Parish Sheriff's Office at 318-428-2331.
