Woman Who Aided Escape of Two Convicted Murderers To Pay $80,000 in Restitution

Former New York Prison employee Joyce Mitchell will have to pay $80,000 in restitution for her role in helping two convicted murderers escape out of prison. 

At a court hearing Friday, Mitchell agreed to drop her appeal and pay the fee. 

Mitchell, who worked as a Tailor Shop Instructor at Clinton Correctional Facility, provided hack blades and other tools to murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat. 

The restitution is to cover damages from the two inmates who cut their way out of prison. 

“This now brings an end to a difficult time for our community,” said Clinton county Judge Kevin Ryan at Friday’s hearing, “And I am pleased that an agreement was reached relative to restitution.” 

Matt and Sweat broke free from New York’s Clinton Correctional Facility in June. 

Their escape triggered a massive manhunt spanning nearly three weeks to find the fugitives. 

Police shot and killed Matt on June 26.  Sweat was captured just two days later.  

Mitchell was sentenced in July to up to seven years behind bars for helping the duo.