After two recent escapes from Larned State Hospital, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is calling for faster action on an independent security review of the facility.
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services has been working to hire an independent firm to conduct a security review. Governor Kelly has directed the agency to accelerate the review. She said action will be taken to identify and fix the flaws that allowed two residents to escape.
42-year-old John Colt, a convicted sex offender, walked away from the Sexual Predator Treatment Program last June. He was recaptured later. 43-year-old Isaac Watts escaped Tuesday from the Larned State Hospital and was caught later in Garden City.
The security review is expected to begin in February, and a written report with recommendations will be submitted by the end of March.
A man who walked away from Larned State Hospital Monday night is back in custody.
43-year-old Isaac Watts had been charged with kidnapping and murder, and was going through court-ordered treatment. He walked out of the building around 9 p.m. Monday, and was reported to back in custody around 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Officials have not said how he was able to leave without being caught.
