Joyce Mitchell Speaks About Assisting Prison Escape for the First Time on ‘Today’
On Today Monday, Matt Lauer sat down for an exclusive interview with Joyce Mitchell, the upstate New York prison worker who helped two convicts, Richard Matt and David Sweat, escape Clinton Correctional Facility in June. It was Mitchell’s first time speaking publicly on the matter, and she addressed how she began to form a bond with the prisoners.
Despite prison regulations requiring all Clinton employees to have their bags checked, Mitchell says no one would actually search her. Matt and Sweat started making innocent requests for baked goods, but before long those favors turned into something more — tools and saws for their escape. Joyce explained that her rationale for giving them the items was her fear for the life of her husband, Lyle, whom Matt threatened to kill.
Matt also inquired where Mitchell’s mother and son lived, alluding to possible harm to them as well. Lauer asked about the alleged sexual contact between her and Matt. Mitchell was highly emotional when describing the details of their interaction.
Mitchell has reached a plea deal and is currently awaiting her sentence. Despite her remorse, she explained how she felt she was in way over her head and had to go through with what she’d started.
