9NEWS.com | Denver | Colorado's Online News Leader | Prison director answers questions about escape

9NEWS.com | Denver | Colorado's Online News Leader | Prison director answers questions about escape

STERLING - On Tuesday night, people had the
opportunity to ask Colorado prison officials how an
inmate escaped from a nearby maximum-security
prison.

Douglas Alward, 48, was serving time for attempted
murder when he escaped on Aug. 22. He was found
a few days later near Yuma.

Before answering questions, Ari Zavaras, the
director of prisons for the Colorado Department of
Corrections, said he was disappointed the escape
happened.

One of the questions a lot of people wanted
answered was how Alward escaped.

Zavaras says Alward was able to obtain some
materials to assist in the escape and get over the
walls. He did not elaborate because of security
issues.

Alward was able to get over three fences, including
an electric fence which will deliver an electric shock
when touched, and if touched enough times, can be
lethal.

One Sterling resident was upset the prison did not
notify the nearby campground her family was
staying at.

"I think somebody dropped the ball, because if he
would have been there, he could have easily gone to
the lake, people leave their keys in their car,
whatever. He could have hurt somebody, he could
have stolen a car," Kristi Helbert said.

Zavaras told the crowd, "We apologize for what took
place the night of the escape; the fact that it could
happen, and once again we have made a 100
percent commitment to addressing every issue."