Sheriff’s office investigates after catching El Paso County Jail escapee

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The sheriff's office is investigating after a man escaped from the El Paso County Detention Center Sunday morning.

It was the first escape from the El Paso County Detention Center in fifteen years, according to a spokesperson for the sheriff's office.

Around 11:45 a.m., an inmate who was housed in one of the tent-like Sprung Structure on the El Paso County Jail campus scaled the barbed wire fence and escaped, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office reported.

Deputies found him in less than an hour on Las Vegas Street within the industrial park area surrounding the jail. He was treated for injuries and booked back into the jail.

The sheriff's office identified the inmate as 35-year-old Steven Crist.  His original charges were 2nd degree burglary and violation of a restraining order. 

He is now facing an additional charge of escape with the potential for other charges, according to the sheriff's office spokesperson.

The Sheriff's office also said, depending on the outcome of its investigation, more precautions could be put in place to make sure this doesn't happen again.

"We have to complete our investigation to see where the breakdown was that allowed this to occur," Jackie Reed explained. "So once we have that, if there are any changes that need to be made, then we will make those changes."