Female worker being questioned in connection with escape of 2 convicted murderers from Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate NY

A female civilian employee at Clinton Correctional Facility is being questioned in connection with the escape of two convicted murderers, the Press-Republican has learned.

Richard Matt, 48, and David Sweat, 34, escaped from the maximum-security prison on Saturday, launching a massive manhunt that continues today.

Sources who work at the prison said the woman is an employee of the tailor shop, which is located in the main part of the prison, behind the high walls.

She had become friendly with one of the escapees, sources said.

State Police Troop B Commander Major Charles Guess, reached this morning, would say only that authorities are "questioning employees, both civilian and uniform, as we have since the beginning."

He said he couldn't comment on specific personnel.

INMATES 'VERY MANIPULATIVE'

City of Plattsburgh Ward 4 Councilor Paul "Crusher" O'Connell worked as a civilian employee at Clinton Correctional for decades, including 18 years as a substance-abuse counselor.

"Everybody I worked with was nothing but professional and security minded," he said of the civilian employees.