Two inmates escape from women's prison

NIANTIC, Conn. (WTNH)-- Call it a brazen breakout, two female inmates bolting, basically walking away from York Correctional Facility in Niantic.

Residents were put on alert.

"They're not dangerous but I suppose someone on the run could be dangerous to some degree," said Lou, East Lyme.

Out on the loose, 30-year-old Melissa Riley of Willimantic, doing time for a drug conviction. Her cohort, 34-year-old Jessica Rivera of Waterbury , has escaped custody before once, leaving a halfway house.

It was no major escape, as these offenders are housed in a minimum security section that's not completely fenced in.

During a walk back from a gym Saturday night, guards noticed they were missing.
 
"At this point we don't have any indication where they might have gone, but we are investigating some leads that we did get," said Stephen Faucher, warden of York Correctional.  

The warden didn't want to tell us if these two offenders are cell mates,  if this was a plan they hatched, or if it was a spur of the moment decision.

"Any time offenders walk away from a facility,  it is unusual.  It doesn't happen very often and it's a very serious incident for the department of correction," said Faucher.
 
An alert message went out to residents informing them of the escape, but most in this quaint quiet community say breakouts are rare and York is a good neighbor.
 
"Not really much to worry about," said Greg Lamourine Sr. "Police are taking care of things pretty good."

Once back in custody, the two escapees are likely to face new charges, which could mean more time in jail.