Prison staff may be tied to threats
Overtime scheme could be a motive
By Maria Cramer and David Abel
Globe Staff / May 11, 2011
State Police and Hampden County authorities are investigating whether state prison employees made anonymous phone calls, threatening to kill an escaped inmate being held at a Springfield hospital, possibly as part of a scheme to generate more overtime opportunities, officials said yesterday.
A spokesman for the Department of Correction confirmed that two staff members have been suspended as authorities investigate whether the two made the calls to murder suspect Tamik Kirkland while he was in Baystate Medical Center.
Several law enforcement officials said authorities are examining whether the Correction Department employees allegedly made the phone calls so officials would order more overtime shifts to guard a prisoner whose life was in danger.
