Joyce Mitchell Pleads Guilty to Aiding Escape

Joyce Mitchell, the tailor shop worker from the Clinton Correctional Facility, plead guilty Tuesday to smuggling hacksaw blades in frozen hamburger meat to two convicted killers who eventually escaped. CBS New York reports that Mitchell pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree promoting prison contraband, a felony, and misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal facilitation.

The 51 year-old Mitchell faces a sentence of 2 1/3 years to seven years in prison under terms of a plea deal with prosecutors. Mitchell's sentencing is set for Sept. 28. Her lawyer said his client won’t be able to post the bail set by the judge at $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond.

Mitchell was arrested shortly after the June 6 escape of Richard Matt and David Sweat. The prison worker admitted to providing hacksaw blades, chisels, a punch tool and a screwdriver to Matt, according to CBS. Authorities say she grew close to the two convicts and even agreed to be their getaway driver. She would later back out at the last moment, forcing the pair to flee the maximum security prison in Dannemora by foot.