TOPEKA — The escape of four state inmates from Ottawa County jail last month embarrassed state prison officials. Eric James, 22, was the last of the escapees to be recaptured. James was convicted of kidnapping, robbery, burglary, and criminal damage in Anderson County three years ago. He was caught in Omaha, Neb., after the escape Despite the embarrassment to prison officials, Kansas Information Network reports that legislators weren’t as embarrassed. They overwhelmingly voted down a bill that would have limited the types of inmates farmed out to county jails. Because of legislative budget cutbacks and overcrowding, the Kansas Department of Corrections has had to farm out prisons to county jails.
Wednesday, May 9, 4 p.m.
