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Jailbreak: Preventing Another Vicky White and Casey White

In April of 2022, Vicky White, a correctional officer at the Lauderdale County Jail in Alabama, was manipulated into pursuing the escape of inmate Casey White. How did an inmate manage to persuade an officer to participate in such a scheme? Were there any warning signs? How can a situation like this be prevented in the future?
Alyssa Pfaff
Alyssa Pfaff
Contributors:
Kenzie Koch | Marketing Team Leader

Prison breaks have captured the attention of media and civilians for years, but how many times is a correctional officer involved in, or conducting, the escape? The answer is, hardly ever. The concept of an officer being involved in an inmate escape plan at any level is an alarmingly significant breach of trust. Hence, less than 5% of inmate escapes are caused by a staff member’s involvement.

Correctional agencies generally don't consider officer involvement in inmate escapes a top concern, given how rare these incidents are. However, this concept was flipped on its head when Assistant Director of Correctional Operations, Vicky White, conducted the escape of Casey White, a convicted felon in Vicky’s custody, on April 29, 2022.

The case came to light again in October 2024, when Netflix released a documentary called Jailbreak: Love on the Run telling the story of Casey and Vicky’s escape. The hour-and-a-half movie delves into life before and after they met, taking us through the complete story of what led this highly regarded correctional officer to go on the run with a convicted felon.

This blog dives into the escape of the two fugitives, Casey White and Vicky White, and provides tips on how correctional facilities and their staff members can prevent another case like this from happening again. 

Who Are Vicky White and Casey White?

Vicky White and Casey White’s names were plastered across almost every news channel in the spring of 2022, but who are they?

Mugshot of Casey White from the New York Post (left) and Sheriff’s Office headshot of Vicky White from CNN (right).

Although Casey and Vicky may both carry the same last name, they were neither married nor related. In fact, they could not have been more opposite from each other.

Casey White is currently serving life behind bars for his escape in 2022. However, his life of being a convicted felon began long before 2022 when White was sentenced to 75 years for attempted murder and burglary. He spent his sentence at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility, Alabama, where he confessed to a 2015 murder. His confession led to him being charged and transferred to the Lauderdale County Jail, Alabama, where he met Vicky White.

Vicky White was the Assistant Director of Correctional Operations for the Lauderdale County Jail. She had been working as a corrections officer with her agency for 17 years where she received “Employee of the Year” four times and was on track for her fifth year as the recipient. By all accounts, Vicky White was an outstanding, dedicated corrections officer who genuinely loved her job. 

As a corrections officer in the jail where Casey was incarcerated, Vicky came into contact with Casey quite frequently as she would with all the other inmates. No one batted an eye at their interactions with one another or was remotely worried about Vicky and her decisions during this time. Not a single thing was ever suspected. 

So, when the two left on April 29, 2022, under the assumption of Vicky transporting Casey to court and then attending her own physician's appointment, no one gave it a second thought. Although two officers typically manage most inmate transports, Vicky’s tenure and position were high enough that nobody questioned her decisions. As the agency (and the rest of the whole world) would soon find out, Vicky and Casey were, in fact, not going to court or an appointment.

This marked the beginning of a manhunt for a convicted, violent inmate with an extensive criminal history and a dedicated, long-term corrections officer. However, at this time of the investigation, most reasonably suspected that Casey had taken control and was holding Vicky hostage. As the media gained knowledge of the situation, news spread like wildfire with headlines concerned for Vicky White, labeling her as missing and fearful she was in extreme danger. 

When this experienced, well-respected officer did not return, her coworkers, investigators, and loved ones feared she had been coerced or forced to comply with Casey’s escape. And who could blame them? Vicky White was described as someone who “devoted her life to her job” and was the last person her coworkers or those who knew her would suspect to run away with an inmate.

“Love on the Run”

As the case unfolded and law enforcement across the country searched for Casey and Vicky, an investigation began. One of the first steps was reviewing the footage of Vicky and Casey leaving the jail to gauge if she was in distress or if anything happened from the time they left the building to entering the squad car and driving off.

While reviewing these tapes, Casey is seen shackled and handcuffed exiting facility doors AFTER Vicky, which sounded the first alarm. See, an officer transporting an inmate anywhere, especially outside of the facility, should remain behind the inmate to keep an eye on them. When investigators noticed this, they realized in that moment that Vicky was involved with the escape. 

As the investigators dug deeper, they discovered that Vicky and Casey had been involved in an intimate relationship for around two years prior to their escape. They uncovered evidence of phone calls between the two, security footage of Vicky sneaking into Casey’s cell, evidence of preferential treatment, etc. 

Casey and Vicky remained on the run for 11 days before it ended tragically for Vicky. Once police had apprehended their vehicle, responding officers found Vicky with a self-inflicted wound, leading to the ultimate cause of her death later that evening. Casey was arrested at the scene and is currently serving life in prison for his involvement in the escape, as well as Vicky's death.

So, how can someone with such a distinguished reputation end up acting so out of character? 

In short, Vicky was manipulated into believing she and Casey were in love and deserved a happy life together outside the walls of a jail. Her professional judgment was clouded by the emotional bond she had created with Casey, leading her to make decisions that were not only unethical and illegal but also extremely dangerous. The unfortunate result of Vicky and Casey’s escape serves as a sobering reminder of how easily emotions can get intertwined and compromised, even with the most trusted individuals in positions of authority.

How Can This Be Prevented?

While there may not be a single, definitive solution to avoiding inmate escapes entirely—especially when individuals in positions of authority are involved—this case offers valuable insights that can help inform strategies for preventing future incidents.

1. Increase Awareness Around Inmate Manipulation 

There’s no question that extreme inmate manipulation took place in the case of Vicky and Casey. Their case proves that even the most decorated officer with years of experience can still fall victim to being manipulated by an inmate. 

While Vicky had worked in corrections for 17 years, her first-hand experience was still unable to decipher Casey’s true intentions. Being a lonely female correctional officer, Vicky was sought out and manipulated into thinking her relationship with Casey was real true love. Casey likely noticed how Vicky carried herself and tested the waters of her vulnerability, leading to the two picking up a romantic relationship.

In some cases, there may be a female staff member that presents a very low level of self-esteem. The male inmate may foster a connection with the female staff member by providing her with positive attention. The manipulative inmate connects themselves to any positive thought the female staff member may have or feel about themselves.

Anthony Gangi, Inmate Manipulation Decoded (Pg. 87)

In the Jailbreak: Love on the Run, viewers can even hear another officer’s account of Casey approaching her complaining about his lack of female touch and requesting a hug from her. Clearly, Vicky was not the only female officer he attempted to get close to. 

Some officers come in and if they’re having a bad day or if they had an argument with their spouse the night before, you know, they come in all droopy-faced, them inmates pick up on it… ‘I like what you done with your hair today. Your makeup looks really good.’

Joyce Brawley
Former Hall Officer at Lauderdale Detention Center

All staff, no matter what level of authority, should be able to identify and pick up on signs of inappropriate inmate behavior, manipulation, inappropriate relationships, etc. The best way to avoid these situations of inmate manipulation from happening again is to ensure that staff can recognize these signs before it is too late.

2. Enhance Staff Training

To build on the growing awareness of inmate manipulation, comprehensive training is essential for effectively responding to and managing these challenges. While training may not always be a popular tactic among staff, its importance cannot be overstated. It plays a critical role in securing correctional facilities and ensuring the safety of everyone involved, both inmates and staff members.

Management and staff must prioritize ongoing training initiatives, dedicating time and resources to equip themselves for the diverse scenarios they may encounter within a facility's walls. A well-trained team is crucial for maintaining order and responding to emergencies, as the unpredictable nature of correctional environments demands readiness for any situation.

Supervisors should actively invest in their current staff and prioritize enhancing their skills, knowledge, and experience. This commitment helps improve compliance with regulations while also boosting overall facility performance. When corrections officers and staff feel confident and prepared, they can more effectively and confidently navigate the complexities of their roles. 

Training should encompass various topics, including crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, and the psychological aspects of inmate behavior. By fostering an environment of continuous learning, facilities can ensure that their personnel are equipped with the latest strategies and best practices. The goal is to create a culture of preparedness, where staff members are not only reactive but also proactive in their approach to inmate management. In the unpredictable world of corrections, investing in comprehensive training is not just an option - it is a necessity for the safety and security of all.

3. Provide and Promote Mental Health Resources

After Vicky lost her ex-husband, some believed that she just wanted someone to talk to. And Casey took advantage of that. One of Vicky’s coworkers explained the situation simply, “You got this older woman who’s lonely in the jail. And you got this man. It’s a disgusting romance novel is what it is to me.” While nobody will ever know what state Vicky’s mental health was in at the time of the escape, it’s evident that it was deteriorating and Casey used her vulnerability to his advantage. 

While mental health resources can’t exactly promise to prevent something like this case from happening again, offering resources is vital in providing staff with support when necessary. At the end of the day, corrections is a difficult career that can be mentally and physically draining. So, officers must get the help they need to guide them through the rough seasons of the job.

4. Invest in Increased Surveillance and Security

Last but certainly not least, facilities should strongly consider investing in advanced surveillance and security systems. Vicky and Casey’s relationship didn’t just take place outside the facility - they also found time to spend together (alone) within the walls of Lauderdale County Jail. Matt Burbank, Former Investigator at Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, was even quoted saying, “As I continued to interview the inmates, we even discovered that they’ve had sexual contact in the jail.”

Image of Matt Burbank, who is the current Director and former Supervisor of the General Investigations Division of Lauderdale Detention Center, retrieved from TheCinemaholic.

Utilizing strong, proven surveillance could have helped ensure cameras covered all bases within the facility, detecting any suspicious movements or activities between officers and inmates. There should be eyes on inmates at all times, even if they are fixed to the walls. Other than surveillance, investing in a comprehensive inmate-tracking system has proven to be an effective security enhancement. Officers should be aware of each inmate within their custody, where they are or should be, and have something to hold them accountable when performing security rounds. 

In the documentary, Joyce Brawley, former Hall Officer at Lauderdale County Detention Center, shares the advice, “You can’t cross that fine line. You don’t want to be their enemy but you can’t be their friend.” Unfortunately, this line was indeed crossed with the case of Casey and Vicky White. Their escape serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within correctional facilities, particularly when trust is misplaced. Vicky, a long-standing, well-decorated corrections officer, allowed herself to be drawn into a dangerous relationship that ultimately led to tragedy and her death. 

Inmate manipulation played a key role in this case and needs to be addressed within correctional facilities to avoid something similar from occurring. By enhancing training programs to recognize signs of manipulation, promoting mental health resources, and investing in improved security, facilities can mitigate unnecessary risks to the safety and security of the facility. The lessons learned from this case highlight the need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect the integrity of the correctional system and the safety of everyone involved. 

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