THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 12, 1996 TAG: 9604120574
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Police and prison officials combed the Elizabeth City area Thursday for an inmate who escaped from the new Pasquotank Correctional Institution Wednesday night.
Stacey Clawson, 21, also known as Paul Clawson, apparently scaled two razor-coiled fences and then stole a truck about two miles away.
Clawson, who may still be wearing his olive-green inmate's uniform over a white T-shirt, was missing at a 9:20 p.m. head count Wednesday.
He is the first inmate to breach security at the prison's 250-bed minimum security section, which opened in August. Another section for more serious felons, including those requiring closed and maximum security, is due to open next month.
``Unfortunately, things happen with minimum custody because the structure is different. Something like this would not be able to happen at our medium- or closed-custody facility,'' said Administrator Charles Creecy.
Clawson, originally from Boone, was serving a four-year, eight-month sentence for a 1994 auto-larceny conviction.
A 1980 unlocked truck, with keys left in the vehicle, was reported stolen from nearby Commissary Road around the same time Clawson apparently escaped Wednesday night.
``My guess is he stole that vehicle, and he's probably headed out west,'' Creecy said. Police and prison officials were still vigilantly patrolling the vicinity, he added.
The 96-acre prison complex, about seven miles north of Elizabeth City off U.S. 17, includes bright outdoor lights, a guard tower and double-layered fencing topped by razor-sharp coils.
Clawson was described as a white male, about 6-foot-2, and 160 pounds. He has green eyes and brown shoulder-length hair that may be pulled into a ponytail.
Clawson is not believed to have any friends or family in the area.
Law enforcement in Pasquotank County, Elizabeth City and surrounding counties were assisting in the manhunt.
Early Thursday, corrections officials canvassed nearby neighborhoods and alerted businesses to Clawson's escape. A photocopy of Clawson's prison identification card was distributed throughout the county.
The breakout has raised concerns in at least one Pasquotank County community near the new prison.
``I'm kind of surprised someone got out that soon,'' said Vicky Freeman, who can see the prison from her home.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the near-completion of one of the state's largest corrections facilities occurred exactly two weeks prior to Clawson's escape.
Another nearby resident, Kenneth Cobb, had a similar response. ``Let's put it this way, they're not off to a good start. I feel if somebody escapes, they should tell us some kind of way.''
Since it opened its doors in August, the minimum-security building has averaged about 220 inmates. Minimum security is used for prisoners who are serving time for certain felonies or have been promoted from tighter security levels.
Prison officials alerted news media shortly after the breakout was discovered and, by early Thursday afternoon, had posted pictures of Clawson in businesses and public centers.
But some residents, such as Cobb, remained unaware of the escape.
``I don't care if they use a siren, or whatever. Just let those of us in the immediate area know when something like this happens.''
Creecy said prison officials will review this week's events to determine ``if any adjustments need to be made.''
The head of the complex also said he plans to hold a public forum to give residents a chance to voice concerns. A date has not been established. by CNB