Chester County prison officials say upgraded cameras, fencing and training stopped Sept. 3 escape attempt

Warden Gordon told the Chester County Prison Board of Inspectors on Sept. 22 that an attempted escape at the county prison on Sept. 3 lasted about 10 minutes and ended with staff quickly regaining custody of the inmate without anyone leaving prison grounds.

"This whole incident transpired was approximately 10 minutes from start to finish," Warden Gordon said, describing the timeline and the post-incident security upgrades the facility has implemented.

The update matters because it followed a previous, higher-profile escape and because the incident prompted county leaders and residents to press for improvements in perimeter detection, camera coverage and staff training. Board members and two residents who spoke during public comment said the account and the steps already taken have helped restore local trust.

Warden Gordon described several specific changes made since the earlier escape and in response to the Sept. 3 attempt: deployment of three new canines; tablets in perimeter vehicles to allow officers to view interior and exterior cameras while responding; additions of cameras around previously unmonitored areas, including the back of the building and interview rooms; and redundancy for the formerly single central control room. He said the county approved…