VILSACK SUSPENDS EMPLOYEE IN CONNECTION WITH PRISON BREAK

Gov. Tom Vilsack said Friday that he had suspended at least one state
employee in connection with the escape of two inmates at the Iowa
State Penitentiary.

Both inmates were back in custody Friday after the capture of Robert
Joseph Legendre, 27, in Steele, Mo. The other inmate, Martin Moon,
34, was arrested Thursday, near Chester, Ill.

Vilsack said more suspensions were expected as state officials
continue to investigate how the inmates were able to scale a 30-foot
wall unnoticed by prison officials.

"I can also tell you we have reached some conclusions and the result
has been personnel accountability, the suspension of at least one
employee and I would expect and anticipate more," Vilsack said.

The Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison will remain in lockdown
until prison officials can guarantee that it is secure and problems
have been corrected, he said.

Vilsack declined to identify the suspended employee, saying it's a
personnel matter.

"I told the people of this state we are going to hold the people
responsible for this escape accountable," Vilsack said. "I can tell
you that process has already begun."

He said there was a failure at the Fort Madison prison to account for
inmates in prison industries, where Moon and Legendre had been working.

"That was not done and should have been done," Vilsack said.

In Mount Pleasant earlier today for an economic development summit,
Vilsack praised law enforcement for its work apprehending the escaped convicts.

"Obviously I appreciate the fact that law enforcement was diligent
and able to put these two characters back behind bars where they
belong," he said.

State Senator Gene Fraise, D-Fort Madison, was at the summit with
Vilsack and said there will be legislative hearings to investigate
the escape and security at the prison.

"There definitely will be discussions about that. We need those
towers manned," Fraise said.