The Facts
Escaped inmate, Casey White, was brought back to Alabama for his first court appearance on Tues. night after being caught in a police pursuit that resulted in a crash in Indiana. The prison official who fled with him died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head, according to the Vanderburgh County Coroners Office.
Casey White and former Assistant Director of Corrections, Vicky White (not related to the inmate), left the Lauderdale County Detention Center on Apr. 29, purportedly for a courthouse mental health evaluation, and hadn't been seen since.
The Spin
Narrative A
Though her death is tragic, Vicky White was clearly the mastermind behind a very calculated plan. Her years of law enforcement expertise presented unique difficulties for authorities, who eventually brought this 11-day manhunt to an end.
Narrative B
There are systemic issues in prison systems that need further scrutiny. Long hours, proximity of personnel to inmates, and staffing shortages create opportunities for inappropriate and unsafe relationships to form. Vicky White had an exemplary record and she was likely manipulated by Casey White in the volatile environment.
