STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
PUBLIC INTEGRITY DIVISION
MEMORANDUM
TO:

Chief Tony Green

SUBJECT:

PI-18-00063

DATE:

July 23 2019

INVESTIGATOR: DAVID BURLISON

Offender Michael Wilson escaped from the SMCI on July 5, 2018. Offender Wilson climbed
two razor wired fences and walked off into the community of Leaksville undetected. It was not
until two hours later before Offender Wilson was identified as absent by the SMCI staff.
Offender Wilson after escaping, came into contact with several citizens (who had no knowledge
of an escape).
Offender Wilson was able to make his way back to the coast undetected. On July 7, 2018
Offender Wilson was spotted and arrested in a residential area of Jackson County and returned to
the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) custody. The search and eventual
apprehension of Offender Wilson involved numerous law enforcement agencies (from several
counties) and the MDOC.
On July 23, 2018 the MS AGO received a letter from Senator Dennis DeBar asking the AGO to
conduct an immediate and official investigation into the escape of Offender Wilson from SMCI.
Investigator David Burlison with the MS AGO was assigned this task by Chief Tony Green. On
July 24, 2018 Chief Green and Investigator Burlison met with MDOC Commissioner Hall at her
office to discuss the facts and circumstances of Offender Wilson’s escape. Commissioner Hall
advised Chief Green and Investigator Burlison the MS AGO would have MDOC complete
cooperation and support in conducting their investigation. Chief Green advised Commissioner
Hall the MS AGO would be looking into the facts of what happened after Offender Wilson
climbed over the wire.
INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS
There was no evidence of any prior cross-training with the Greene County Sheriffs Office or
EMA. Also, the limited resources of the Greene County Sheriffs Office does present significant
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 problems with providing an adequate response in the future.
* SMCI was unable to effectively communicate with outside agencies. SMCI does not utilize
common and known radio frequencies. Having radio communication capabilities with other
agencies is a vital tool for giving and receiving time-sensitive information. SMCI does not
currently have a Mobil Command Center. Having this asset available during Offender Wilson’s
escape could have been helpful in centralizing all assisting agencies therefore facilitating better
communication.
*SMCI did not display any form of Command Structure (to outside agencies). Not having a
Command presence on scene(s) caused confusion which lead to delays in setting up perimeters,
notifying agencies, getting additional assets deployed, and assisting with the sharing and
dissemination of information.
NOTE: ASSIGNING AN INCIDENT COMMANDER (WHO IS PRESENT ON SCENE)
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY MDOC.
*SMCI was unaware of Offender Wilson’s previous escape (or failed to make this information
available). The similarities of Offender Wilson’s movements, (after escaping both times) is
highly revealing. Had the information of his previous escape been available it potentially could
have led to Offender Wilson being located sooner.
*SMCI has not conducted any form of an After Action Review (AAR) with any of the assisting
agencies. Conducting an AAR is a common practice that most law enforcement agencies
perform after a training exercise or a major event to help improve performance.

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