New York Prison Break Cost $23 Million in Overtime

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According to data released Friday by the New York State comptroller’s office, this summer’s 23-day, 1,000-officer manhunt to capture escaped prisoners David Sweat and Richard Matt cost state authorities a whopping $22.9 million in overtime at the State Police and Corrections and Community Supervision Department, and the overall tab will run even higher, as cost figures regarding the manhunt from the Vermont State Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and New York State Forest Rangers still haven’t been released. ABC News reports that New York State Police superintendent Joseph D’Amico is defending the spending, pointing out that “if we lost one life of an innocent victim, what’s the price tag you put on that?”

Prisoner Manhunt Cost $23 Million in Overtime