BALTIMORE – Security officials were able to thwart an escape attempt by an inmate at Mercy Medical Center on Feb. 25.
Lamarr C. Harris, 37, accused of stabbing a correctional officer in 2006, tried to escape while he was being examined for an undetermined illness at the hospital around 6 p.m. According to Rick Binetti, the spokesman of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Harris tried to run off by taking a few steps until he was immediately pinned down by four officers from Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center (Super Max) and at least two hospital security officials.
Harris was wearing the required restraints when he tried to flee; however it is unclear what method of restraint was being used on the suspect when he made his attempt to escape.
No injuries resulted in Harris’ attempt to escape and he was immediately returned to Super Max. Harris had six officers guarding him because of his history, Binetti said.
In January, 45-year-old Kelvin D. Poke, an inmate from Jessup Correction Institution overpowered two correctional officers when he attempted to escape from Laurel Regional Hospital. At that time, Poke stole two guns and carjacked a vehicle outside of the hospital. He died several hours later after a shootout with police.
His escape, along with another inmate’s escape two months prior, triggered hospital officials to stop admitting inmates who did not require immediate attention into hospitals until security measures and procedures were tightened.
As a result of Poke’s escape, two officers were fired when it was determined that one of them took a break, resulting in one officer guarding the inmate. The act was a violation of department policy, which states that two officers must be present at all times.
