Reviving old way of alerting public to prison escapes

Philadelphia’s Prison system is working on reviving a system to warn nearby residents of escapes. 

 

State Representative Mike McGeehan says he’s concerned about people knowing when someone escapes from one of the six correctional facilities in his district.  He says the October slaying of a Northeast Philadelphia Jeweler by a fugitive shows why the public needs this warning.

 

“The public isn’t aware when these prisoners escape and it’s happening at an alarming rate,” said McGeehan.  “I think it’s incumbent on the prison system to warn people in the immediate area and to also warn Philadelphians that these prisoners are escaping.”

 

Prison officials say they are working on fixing a siren-based notification system and McGeehan says people can sign up to be informed of escapes via the website ReadyNotifyPa.  There is talk about using cable television and other means to advise of breakouts.