NBC 5 - "A Peru, New York, woman, who worked at Clinton Correctional Facility, has been arrested following inappropriate conduct with an inmate, according to New York State Police.
They said Denise Prell, 38, was arrested Wednesday for promoting prison contraband, sexual abuse and 23 counts of official misconduct. Additional charges were expected.
The arrest comes following a criminal investigation by state police, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Office of Special Investigations, the New York State Inspector General’s Office and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.
Police said DOCCS began the investigation when a corrections officer witnessed inappropriate behavior between Prell and an inmate at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora. Prell has since been fired.
She appeared before a judge in Beekmantown Court Wednesday and was sent to Clinton County Jail.
Police said she was being held for lack of $10,000 cash or $25,000 bond.
Prell was due to appear in court again on Oct. 18.
Clinton Correctional Facility is the facility where two murderers broke out with the help of a different civilian employee, Joyce Mitchell in 2015.
That prison break is now being turned into an eight-part series on Showtime directed by Ben Stiller.
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Spokesman Thomas Mailey released this statement to NBC5 News following the news of Prell's arrest late Wednesday:
"This case illustrates the cultural shift that has occurred at the Clinton Correctional Facility due in large measure to the changes in policy, procedures and training programs implemented following the Inspector General’s report. Despite this staff person’s attempt to conceal an inappropriate relationship with an inmate, the vigilant awareness of DOCCS and subsequent investigation by both DOCCS Office of Special Investigation and the State Police prevented what could have otherwise been a security breach.""