New York prison officials suspended after dramatic escape

Suspension comes as captured convict details escape and plan

(AP Images)

Two top prison officials have been placed on administrative leave from their posts at Clinton Correctional Facility after a dramatic escape earlier this month.

Superintendent Steven Racette and Deputy Superintendent Stephen Brown both have been suspended after two murderers broke out of Clinton on 6 June and led authorities on a weeks-long chase, CNN reported.

A dozen other members of Clinton staff have been suspended as an investigation is ongoing into the prison.

Both inmates have been caught. Richard Matt was killed by authorities on Friday and David Sweat was shot and captured early on Sunday. Sweat is in the hospital in serious condition, but has been talking to investigators.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Sweat told investigators that, "They would kill (Joyce) Mitchell's husband, and then get in the car and drive to Mexico on the theory that Mitchell was in love with one or both of them. And then they would go live happily ever after."

Ms Mitchell was a prison employee who has been charged with providing the tools to Matt and Sweat that the pair used to escape. She also allegedly had sex with both the men.

Another prison worker, Gene Palmer has been arrested and accused of getting the tools to the men.

When the men escaped Clinton, they were expecting Ms Mitchell to be waiting as their getaway driver, but she never showed. It appears the men had to scramble for a Plan-B and made for the Canadian border.

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