JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An inmate was captured Tuesday hours after escaping from a work camp at Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson, according to a Florida Department of Corrections spokesperson.
Shane Kizziah, who turns 26 on Wednesday, was the subject of a multi-county search after authorities said he drove away from his yardwork assignment about 2 p.m. Tuesday.
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Spokesperson Michelle Glady said Kizziah was allowed to work outside the prison because he had good behavior.
About four hours later, the Clay County Sheriff's Office said it was assisting in the search when a deputy spotted the inmate driving the stolen work truck in Middleburg and a pursuit ensued.
Authorities said the chase ended in a crash at State Road 21 and Long Bay Road, and Kizziah was taken into custody.
Nick Powell, Kizziah’s brother, told News4Jax that he was relieved.
"I'm glad he got caught," Powell said. "It sucks that's he's probably going to get three years added onto his time, but at least I know he's safe."
He added that his brother has obtained several work certificates and a high school diploma while in prison.
“He has not been in trouble the whole time he’s been in there," he said.
The inmate, who is serving a 10-year stretch for a March 2011 armed robbery conviction, had an anticipated October 2020 release date prior to the escape.
According to the state Department of Corrections, escapes went down 74 percent from 2010 to 2016, and the department's recapture rate for 2016-2017 was about 93 percent.
A special thanks to all agencies involved in bringing this fugitive back to custody. The fugitive has been tracked by FHP across multiple counties today and kept on the run. Unfortunately, it resulted in a traffic crash, but thankful that injuries were not severe. #teamwork pic.twitter.com/0nanLzkw0P
— FHPJacksonville (@FHPJacksonville) May 29, 2018