Police arrest woman accused of aiding two escaped murderers

DICKINSON CENTER, N.Y. (WIVB) – A woman accused of providing power tools to two murderers so they could escape from a maximum security prison has been arrested.

Police say they arrested Joyce Mitchell, 51, for providing the tools to Richard Matt and David Sweat. The two escaped murderers used the tools to escape Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora through a pipes system. They exited the pipes system through a manhole.

Officials say they think the seamstress – who had access to the prison and prisoners – was a supervisor of the two criminals while they worked at the prison. According to Matt’s son, his father is a genius who can manipulate people and formulate complicated plans.

Mitchell is accused of first degree promoting prison contraband and fourth degree criminal facilitation.

Police say they’re going to give more details soon.