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Pocono News Section
Inmate Death at Lewisburg Penitentiary
Inmate Death at Lewisburg Penitentiary - Friday, January 23, 2009 at 5:37PM EST
Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Friday, Jan 23, 2009 @ 05:37pm EST
Lewisburg, Union County-
The FBI is investigating a possible homicide involving an inmate at the Lewisburg Penitentiary. Investigators say the death of 45-year-old John Burks Wednesday morning might be a case of murder.
The prison was recently designated as the country’s first super maximum security facility. That means it houses some of the worst inmates in the country, inmates who couldn’t be controlled at other facilities.
But people who live near the prison say they rarely worry about its close proximity.
Melvin Reed, of Kelly Township, said, “Well, I’ve been here about 36 years and the prison’s been in my backyard ever since, so it doesn’t really bother me one way or the other.”
Most people around here say the facility’s been here so long, they barely even take notice of it. They also add that they trust in the guards’ training.
Darlene Swope works at the nearby Animal Care Hospital. She says the prison isn’t a cause for concern.
Swope explained, “We have some of the correctional officers that come in here, and I would trust them with my life. They’re wonderful.”
There have been escapes from the prison in the past, but they’ve been few and far between.
Reed recalled, “That must’ve been 20-some years ago. A guy walked out back there. But he got to the road, the dogs lost the trail, so he got in a car and away they went.”
Even if they do find a way out, folks here say escapees aren’t likely to stick around the area.
The FBI says it won’t release any more information on John Burks’ death until its investigation is complete.
The Lewisburg Penitentiary opened in 1932. It has housed some of the country’s most notorious criminals- including Al Capone, Jimmy Hoffa, and John Gotti.
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