Missing in prison

It was quite a relief when two missing inmates were found Sunday hiding in the Missouri State Penitentiary after 3 1/2 days. For most of that time, authorities didn't know if the two convicted murderers had escaped or simply disappeared in the 167-year-old facility with 25 major buildings. Hundreds of searchers had been looking for the two inmates inside and outside the facility before they were found behind a false wall.

This wasn't the first time inmates had gone missing inside the old penitentiary, which is scheduled to be closed next spring when the new Algoa prison opens. The new prison should offer fewer opportunities for such costly and dangerous escapades.