Sheriff explains erroneous release of YCDC inmate

York County Sheriff Bruce Bryant addressed reporters Friday morning with additional investigation the investigation into the erroneous release of a Detention Center inmate in February.

Earlier this week, Bryant said in a written statement that the release was due to a lack of documentation from North Carolina authorities.

Thursday, North Carolina Department of Corrections officials said they provided documentation to the sheriff’s office, and Friday Bryant’s Staff attorney Kris Johnson said it was a combination of factors that led to Thomas Aaron Whitlock’s release from jail.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Johnson said supplemental paperwork that indicated Whitlock was not to be released was not available until after he left the facility, and Whitlock arrived at the Moss Justice Center in civilian attire — two of several checks and balances that allowed Whitlock to slip through the cracks.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Bryant and Johnson said that the detention center and sheriff’s office have updated policies regarding inmate transfers and added new documentation procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.