At all times, two guards sit in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center's master control room scanning nearly 150 security cameras on the jail's grounds. But even with cameras combing the minimum security jail 24/7, there are still some blind spots.
Inmate Jeremy Jaquan Griffin was seen last in the laundry room just before 10 p.m. on July 8th.
Officers believe Griffin walked outside of the laundry room and jumped a razor wire fence to escape. The location of Griffin's escape could not be seen by security cameras.
"We found fabric on the wire where we believe he jumped over," says Major Joey Johnson, J. Reuben Long Detention Center Deputy Director. Johnson says there was no evidence of Griffin being cut while jumping the razor wire fence.
"The cameras we focus on the majority of the time are the cameras that have a lot of traffic flow in and out of the facility and the ones that show violent criminals who are waiting court dates," says Johnson. "A criminal who will be out in a month or so, works in the laundry room and isn't a violent offender, is not someone we are focusing on."
Griffin was booked in to the detention center on July 7th and was serving a 90-day sentence for failure to appear in court for a 3rd or subsequent driving under a suspended license charge. Johnson says Griffin would have more than likely served half of that sentence with good behavior, but will now face federal charges and could serve five years in prison.
"I don't know why he would risk something like that. I can't read his mind. I'd love to ask him that when he gets back here. It will take some time, but we will find."
Johnson says J. Rueben Long plans to add more cameras to deal with blind spots. "We're constantly adding cameras...But then we're talking about funds, and we have to do it a little bit at a time where we see the most need."
Griffin is a 6'0' tall, 210 lbs. with two tattoos on forearms. On his right forearm he has a tattoo with the name Jayden, on his left, the name Tiyanan.
Griffin's last known address was on Oak Street in Conway. Jail officials are working with the US Marshals Office and Marion police. Officials say they don't think he is armed.
If you have any information on where Griffin may be, you are asked to call 911.
