Joyce Mitchell

Joyce Mitchell raises her hand during a court appearance in a file photo.

(Rob Fountain | The Associated Press)

Bedford Hills, N.Y. -- Joyce Mitchell, who helped two convicts escape an Upstate New York prison in 2015, has been denied parole.

Mitchell appeared for a parole hearing last week at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. The state released the board's decision today, according to NBC 5.

Mitchell helped Richard Matt and David Sweat escape from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora. Mitchell worked at the prison and was involved in a relationship with the pair.

She gave them hacksaw blades and other tools and agreed to be their getaway driver before backing out. A judge sentenced her to spend up to seven years in prison.

The parole board wrote that Mitchell's release would be "incompatible with the welfare of society," according to NBC. The board also wrote that she would probably violate the law again if freed.

The decision was unanimous, according to the Press Republican in Plattsburgh.

"It is fair to say that your crimes cost New York millions in response to the escape of inmates Matt and Sweat that your actions facilitated," the board wrote in its decision, according to NBC. "You allowed your common sense and supervisory duties to be compromised by developing unprofessional relationships with Matt and Sweat."

The board also noted that Mitchell's assistance with the investigation into the escape consisted of lies and half-truths.

"You present yourself more as a victim than a responsible participant and appear to be emotionally unstable and easily manipulated," the decision said, according to NBC.

Mitchell's husband and son wrote letters of support for her parole, according to WKBW in Buffalo.

Mitchell is eligible to apply for parole again after she serves more time. Her next hearing is scheduled for June.

If approved for parole, she could be released as early as Oct. 8.

Officers shot and killed Matt on June 26, 2015. Police caught Sweat shortly thereafter.

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