Man escapes briefly from New Madrid County Jail

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A New Madrid County prisoner escaped Thursday, but not for long.

An inmate at the New Madrid County Jail climbed over the fence about 8:47 p.m. Thursday, according to New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens.

Stevens said Gregory Morrow of Clarkton, Mo., a jail inmate who was awaiting transfer to the Missouri Department of Corrections, had apparently created a rope from blankets. Morrow then pushed his way past the jail trustees as they were entering the cell and made his way into the recreation area. The man then apparently hooked the blankets over the wall, gaining his escape.

New Madrid city police officer Norman Womack was alerted by jail officials of the escape and as he approached the west corner of the jail observed the subject crossing Powell Street toward the Masonic Lodge. According to his report, Womack began a foot pursuit, locating the escapee hiding behind a trash can behind the Lodge.

Womack took the man into custody, turning him over to a New Madrid County deputy.

Morrow has been transferred to the Department of Corrections, Stevens said. On Feb. 5, Morrow was found guilty of statutory rape and two counts of sodomy. He was sentenced to 30 years on the rape charge and 10 years each on the sodomy counts with the sentences to run consecutively.

Stevens said an additional charge of escape from custody will be filed, too.