In a recent news conference held on Wednesday, July 12, Warren County Commissioner Jeff Eggleston announced plans to improve security at the county jail where fugitive murder suspect Michael Charles Burham managed to escape using tied together bedsheets. The Warren County District Attorney, Rob Greene, had requested the county jail to work together with Pennsylvania State Police (PCP) to thoroughly evaluate the facility and its policies to find weaknesses and recommend improvements.

Eggleston stated that the commissioners had met and reviewed data in the wake of Burham's escape, which led to immediate plans to make repairs on the roof of the prison yard. The prison yard was described as a 40-foot by 40-foot room with a cage on the top floor of the jail. According to Eggleston, it is essentially a box on the top level of the jail.

One of the measures taken to enhance security was the removal of exercise equipment that provided inmates access to higher positions. It was alleged that Burham climbed through the jail's gym roof to the rooftop where he used bedsheets to climb down and escape. The space was ordered to be augmented with deterrents and safety measures.

The commissioners stated that structural fixes would be completed by the end of the week, while other upgrades would take longer to implement. The goal is to prevent future escapes and ensure the safety of inmates and staff.

Burham, a skilled survivalist and firearms trainer, was on the run for nine days after his escape on July 6. Over 150 officers from state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies scoured the woods of Pennsylvania and New York in hopes of finding the escaped convict. He was finally recaptured on Saturday, July 15, after raising the suspicion of a homeowner in Pennsylvania.

The homeowner noticed Burham in their backyard and engaged in a brief conversation with him. Burham allegedly told the owner that he was on a camping trip. However, the homeowner recognized Burham and tipped off the authorities. Police surrounded him, and he was taken into custody.

Burham had been held in Pennsylvania on kidnapping and burglary charges and was also suspected of murder and rape in New York. He had a history of violent crimes that led to a manhunt in May, during which he was captured in South Carolina.

During his escape, Burham wore a denim jacket and jail-issued orange-striped jumpsuit, along with matching Crocs. It is believed that he may have changed his clothes along the way. The search for Burham involved more than 150 officers from various law enforcement bodies, who received reports of possible sightings in both Pennsylvania and New York.

Burham's escape and subsequent capture have prompted an increased focus on his criminal activities. He is the prime suspect in the shooting death of Kala Hodgkin in Jamestown, New York. He is also accused of multiple violent crimes that occurred during an interstate crime spree, ending with his capture in South Carolina.

The Warren County jail is now working to enhance security measures to prevent future escapes and ensure the safety of inmates and staff. The evaluation of the facility and its policies will help identify weaknesses and recommend improvements. The repairs on the roof of the prison yard are scheduled to be completed by the end of the week, with additional upgrades to follow. The goal is to create a secure environment that prevents any further incidents like Burham's escape.