| Inmate Escapes from Salem Prison |
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| Inmate Escapes from OSCI |
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Inmate escaped from Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 24, 2001
An inmate escaped late this morning from Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem. The medium custody inmate has been identified as Leighton Wayne Bates, 41.
Bates is a white male with blonde hair and blue eyes He is 5’9 tall and weighs 200 lbs. He was last seen wearing blue denim jeans and a blue chambray work shirt with inmate and Oregon State Correctional Institution stenciled on them in orange.
The means of escape is under investigation ,but corrections officials have a working theory that he rode out of the institution in or on a delivery truck. He was seen running away from the Department of Corrections Distribution Center on State Street in Salem at approximately 12:30 p.m. The distribution center was the destination for a truck that had just completed a delivery to Oregon State Correctional Institution. The delivery took place in an area in which the inmate was assigned to work.
As soon as the escape was confirmed, operations were suspended and the medium security prison was locked down.
Bates was serving a lengthy sentence for rape, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, supplying contraband and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was most recently admitted to prison in September and was not due to be released until 2037.
The Oregon State Police, Salem Police Department, Marion County Sheriff and other law enforcement agencies were immediately notified and are working with the Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit to locate and arrest Bates.
Additional Information
Gerald Long, 503-373-0135
Gerald.J.Long@doc.state.or.us
DOC´s Most Wanted Page
http://www.doc.state.or.us
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