Escape investigation reveals problem at jail

ALFRED – Routine violation of the policy on bed checks by some corrections officers could have contributed to the March 31 escape from the new York County Jail, Sheriff Philip Cote said Monday.

An investigation that included interviews with 55 inmates and several staff members revealed that corrections staff often failed to determine whether prisoners were actually in their cells.

That was the case when Michael Christopher Barbaria, 26, of Biddeford escaped by prying open a woven fence in an indoor-outdoor recreation yard.

“I think some people got complacent,” Cote said. “It appears there was a violation of policy.”

Barbaria allegedly made up his bunk so that it appeared to be occupied before he clambered up on a basketball backboard in the recreation yard off his cellblock and got through the fence.

Detective Michael Hayes said officials believe Barbaria got a ride that night, suggesting that the escape had been planned.

Barbaria had been jailed on pending charges that included robbery, burglary, probation violation and refusing to submit to arrest.

He was not discovered missing until about 7 a.m. the next day, despite a telephone call from Biddeford police who thought they had spotted him.