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Expert: - 7/7/2009


Question
First off, thank you for taking the time to do this. I am researching a novel, and had a few questions.

The first is about jailbreak. I was wondering what the usual standard procedure is for a convict who has successfully escaped from prison. I understand that it is a broad question, but I was looking for the general procedure on this, such as who gets involved, what area of a department would this case go to, and what other organizations would get involved(U.S. Marshall, FBI)

Another question is if such an occurrence were to happen, how would the police who put said convict away be involved in the recapturing of them? For example, he was put away for murder, where Homicide Detectives collected the evidence against him. Would those same detectives have anything to do with capturing him?

Once again, thank you for your time, It's great to find professionals who are willing to take time out of their day to answer questions. Especially to novelists who have no idea about police work:)

Answer
Hi Todd,

Yes your question is very broad. But not to hard. It really all depends on the place the person was escaping from. There are federal prisons, and state prisons and county prisons. Since you mentioned murder, its more than likely a state prison. Federal would be for someone that was arrested for murder in several states or where the FBI became involved.

The State prison sends out a escaped prisoner notice to all law enforcement agencies in the state and possibly surrounding states. They also can form a task force to try and recapture the convicts, and that's where your homicide detectives can come in. They can be involved, especially since they know the persons habits and history.

If the person escaped from federal prison, then its the job of the US Marshal to capture him/her.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask.. but remember to please rate these answers..

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Chris Wagoner

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I have been a police officer for 30+ years! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet and web page I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop (police Officer) in Florida?", which is free, Google it.. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!! If its a question about becoming a police officer, it may be answered here: http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/ My "hobby" website - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487 Military Videos on YouTube and Facebook!!

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I am a 30+ year veteran police officer, I am currently the Police Academy Commander of an Academy in North FLorida. I have been training police officers since 1993 and have trained them in all aspects of law enforcement, including firearms, Driving and legal subjects including patrol techniques and others and training all over the world. I have trained over 5000 officers worldwide in the last 16 years of training.

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I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. Also have written and published on the Internet, "So You Want to be a Cop (Police Officer) in Florida?" you can Google it..

Education/Credentials
I have 2 degrees, in Criminal Justice.

Awards and Honors
Phi Theta Kappa, plus 50+ Departmental Awards over the years. FBI Directors award for assisting in a Nationwide investigation into Child pornography.

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