By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – A state report recently cited deficiencies at the Alden correctional facility with being partly to blame for the escape of accused police killer Ralph Phillips.
The state department of correction's report ratcheted up tensions among officials Thursday over public safety. The legislature's public safety committee reviewed the report and heard a response to its findings from Undersheriff Richard Donovan.
He said he won't use funding cuts as an excuse. But Donovan said fixing overcrowding and making the building more secure does take money.
The probe was initiated because of Phillips, who escaped from the facility April 2. He cut his way out through a weak kitchen roof.
Facility Superintendent Don Livingston said the roof is just one of many urgent upgrades needed at the aging building.
Some have alleged that the alarm system at the jail might also be faulty.
The corrections officer who lost his job due to the escape said the alarm never went off. Livingston disputed that, but conceded the system has problems.
According to the county budget director, the administration's upcoming 2007 budget plan does include funding to fix the leaky roof.
$2.5 million in capital funding fro the repair was cut from the 2006 budget. But Thursday, at least lawmakers Bob Reynolds and John Mills are already divided on providing more money.
Even without additional funding, Sheriff's officials said infrastructure improvements, policy and staffing changes were made since the report to better secure the Alden jail.
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