Fla. accidentally releases two convicted murderers

Melanie Eversley | USA TODAY

A Florida prison accidentally released two inmates from a Panhandle prison who are convicted murderers, according to published reports.

An employee who answered the phone early Thursday at the Franklin Correctional Institution in Carrabelle, Fla., said she was not allowed to comment on the situation.

Charles Walker and Joseph Jenkins, both 34, apparently walked out of the facility separately "in accordance with Department of Corrections policy and procedure," CNN quotes Department of Corrections secretary Michael Crews as saying. "However, both of their releases were based on fraudulent modifications that had been made to court orders," Crews said.

Walker was freed on Oct. 8 and Jenkins on Sept. 27, CNN reports. Both are former residents of Orlando.

An online search of Florida Department of Corrections inmates lists a Charles B. Walker, also 34-years-old, and indicates his release date is "pending" and that "A release date will be established upon completion of further review or audit." The record indicates it is current as of Wednesday and that Walker initially came into the system on April 16, 2001. The record also says Walker was sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder.

The online records also show a Joseph I. Jenkins, also 34, and indicates his release date from Franklin also is "pending." The record, less detailed than that of Walker's, says he is serving time for first degree murder along with other charges. The record indicates he initially came into the system on June 12, 2000.

According to CNN, both men were serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. Jenkins was incarcerated for a 1998 murder and armed robbery and a 1997 auto theft. He has been in prison since 2000. Walker was imprisoned for a 199 muder and has been in custody since 2001.

Both men are considered escapees, CNN reports.

Franklin houses adult male inmates and opened in 2005, according to its website. It operates a work camp and has a staff of 304.