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Inmate Says Escape Was a Lark He Regrets

Posted: 11:33 AM Jul 10, 2012

PINEVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- An inmate who ran from a forestry camp in eastern Kentucky says it was intended a joke.

Sammy Chilton could have received parole in February on a drug conviction, but now he faces an escape charge that will likely keep him in jail.

The 25-year-old Chilton told WYMT-TV (http://bit.ly/MeR80k ) in Hazard he and inmate Timothy Bowling "got a wild hare" to walk out the gate at the Bell County Forestry Camp last week. Chilton said once they stepped across the line, they realized they would be charged with escape, so they ran for it.

Police caught Chilton on Saturday in Harlan County. He claimed to not know where Bowling was.

Chilton said he hated the camp, but didn't intend to leave.