Clinton Correctional Facility Worker Charged

Joyce Mitchell, the 51 year-old prison tailor shop instructor accused of helping two inmates breakout of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora was arraigned on the felony charge of promoting prison contraband and misdemeanor count of criminal facilitation on Monday. Mitchell's attorney Keith Bruno, entered a not guilty plea on her behalf, according to Yahoo News. 

Mitchell waived a preliminary hearing and did not enter a plea to either of the two charges against her. The prosecuting attorney said that Mitchell provided the inmates, Richard Matt and David Sweat with blades, drill bits and other tools that helped them break out.

A source with detailed knowledge of the investigation said that Matt and Sweat had a plan to kill the Mitchell's husband, according to CNN. Investigators believe Mitchell began getting cold feet executing the plan but possibly had agreed to be the getaway driver because of threats to her and her husband, the official said.

Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said that Mitchell had been investigated in the past for an inappropriate relationship with Sweat that led corrections officials to move him out of the tailor shop and keep them separated.

New York State Police said they's received more than 870 leads concerning the whereabouts of the two escaped convicts.