A supervisor was fired and six other employees were suspended without pay after two youths escaped through unlocked doors from a juvenile detention center in Garland County, Sheriff Mike McCormick announced Thursday.
The youths, whose names weren't released, escaped Feb. 10 and were recaptured less than 24 hours later.
In a statement, McCormick said the escapees jammed the locks on their cell doors and then made it through multiple other security doors that should have been locked but weren't. They ultimately made it out a side entrance of the facility, he said.
A review of what happened revealed that "staff complacency and non-compliance" with center policies "exacerbated the situation."
The statement said the escapees made it through five security doors in all.
“It is our duty to protect the public at all times by ensuring the security of our detention facilities," McCormick said. "We have rules to ensure the facilities remain secure and it is the duty of our employees to follow those rules and regulations.”
Staff members at the facility are also undergoing additional training.