| Escape Attempt from Pendleton Prison |
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| Inmate Attempts Escape |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2003
Contact:
Doug Harder, (541) 278-3615
Perrin Damon, (503) 945-0925
An escape attempt was thwarted Saturday night by an alert correctional officer at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI) in Pendleton.
At approximately 9:20 PM on Saturday, September 6, 2003, staff was finishing up dispensing evening medications to inmates when Corporal Greg Ross observed an inmate head into an unauthorized area. Corporal Ross immediately notified the medium-security prison’s control center by radio and called for back up from other staff.
Moments later security cameras focused in on the inmate, Kristian Villa, where he had climbed to the roof of the dining room and laundry areas. He had no access to the outside from this location and staff, in the meantime, had surrounded the building.
When the prison’s security staff closed in on the roof, the Mr. Villa climbed over an internal fence and jumped to the ground inside the prison compound. Staff pursued him as he ran toward a security gate. A correctional officer intercepted him, but was kicked by the inmate. Mr. Villa then attempted to climb over another internal fence and was grabbed by two officers and pulled to the ground. The inmate continued to be aggressive and struck out at staff. Staff overcame the inmate’s resistance and escorted him to the segregation unit. At no time during the incident was the inmate able to approach the perimeter of the facility.
An emergency count assured that all inmates were present. They remained on their assigned housing units for the balance of the evening.
Inmate Kristian Villa remains in the segregation unit and an investigation is being conducted by the Oregon State Police. Villa is serving multiple sentences from Lane County for first degree arson, possession of a controlled substance, aggravated theft, first degree theft, witness tampering and attempted aggravated murder. His projected release date is February 5, 2021.
One staff member received appropriate medical attention at St. Anthony’s Hospital and has returned to work.
EOCI returned to normal operations the following morning.
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