New York State Police are on the hunt for two convicted killers who escaped from a maximum security prison in Clinton County. One of the men gunned down a Broome County Sheriff’s deputy in 2002. David Sweat and Richard Matt are both considered to be a danger to the public. Troopers said if located, do not approach them. Instead, call 911 or state police immediately. State police said they received a call early Saturday morning from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora regarding two prisoners that were unaccounted for during a 5:30 a.m. bed check. The search revealed there was a hole cut out of the back of the cell to which these inmates escaped. They went onto a catwalk, which is about 6 stories high. They climbed down and had power tools and were able to get out of the facility through tunnels. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said this is the first time a prisoner has ever escaped from maximum security at the Clinton County Correctional Facility since it opened in 1865. Sweat is a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 165 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He has tattoos on his left bicep and his right fingers. The second escaped prisoner, Matt, is a white male, 6 feet tall, 210 pounds, with black hair and hazel eyes. He has tattoos on his back that say “Mexico Forever,” a heart on his chest and left shoulder, and a marine corps insignia on his right shoulder.
