MACON, Ga. — The Bibb County Sheriff's Office is still looking for four inmates who escaped from the Bibb County Jail on Monday.
WMAZ reached out to the sheriff's office, GBI, FBI, and U.S. Marshals Service. We received various responses about how they are working together but they did not answer immediate questions we had.
Bibb County Sheriff David Davis held a news conference Monday afternoon about how this happened. Viewers sent WMAZ questions and here is what we know so far.
The main question is: How could the inmates coordinate an escape with outside help?
Davis says he is not naive and knows there are cell phones in his jail. He estimates there are between two to 50 cell phones on the inside. But he also says there are illegal cell phones in every jail and prison in Georgia.
Another question asked was: What was staffing like on Monday?
Sheriff Davis says at the time of the escape, there were fewer than 10 guards looking over 800 inmates. He says his ideal staffing would be around 30 officers, but due to staffing shortages, he says that hasn't happened in a long time.
The second question asked was: Were the jail guards counting the inmates overnight?
Davis says the guards do count inmates at each shift change, but the escape happened around 3:30 a.m., which is between head counts.
A be on the lookout notice was sent showing a blue Dodge Challenger outside the jail, which is one of the questions you asked.
The third question asked was: what role did the blue Dodge Challenger play?
Davis says they believe someone in the challenger tampered with the fence and placed items inside. He says it's possible the inmates used those items to escape.
We've reported on the county's FLOCK cameras and their use to help law enforcement.
The fourth question asked was: Did the camera pick up any information on the challenger?
Davis says the county's flock camera system, which can read license plates is not active yet. He says they are looking at other cameras near the jail.
There were fewer than 10 guards on staff and they did a head count during shift change.
The fifth question asked was: Will the jail guards be disciplined?
Davis says they are looking into that and internal affairs is investigating the escape. He says an officer should have noticed an intruder tampering with the fence and there's an indication someone did.
The sixth question asked was: How did the inmates get into the day room where they escaped?
Davis says the inmates escaped through the second-floor window in that room. The day room is often locked but sometimes it's not overnight.
The seventh question asked was: Did someone cut through the gates outside the jail about two weeks ago?
The cell phone was put inside the dayroom vent. Davis says they're looking into but it's not the same spot where the inmates escaped.