Arrested guard says he gave tools to 2 inmates

But says he didn’t know of killers’ escape plot

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — A prison guard charged in connection with the escape of two killers admitted providing them with tools, paint, frozen hamburger and access to a catwalk electrical box but says he never knew they planned to bust out, authorities say.

As the search for the convicts entered its 20th day Thursday, Gene Palmer was released on $25,000 bail after his arrest on charges of promoting prison contraband, tampering with evidence and official misconduct.

Palmer became the second Clinton Correctional Facility employee to be charged since inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat used power tools to cut their way out of the maximum-security prison in Dannemora on June 6.

Prison tailor shop instructor Joyce Mitchell stands charged with helping them break out.

But in contrast to the allegations against Mitchell, Palmer said he was an unwitting helper.

“I did not realize at the time that the assistance provided to Matt or Sweat made their escape easier,” he told authorities in a signed statement.

Dist. Atty. Andrew Wylie said that based on Palmer’s statements and a polygraph test, investigators don’t believe he was knowingly involved in the escape. In the statement, Palmer admitted providing Matt with paint and paintbrushes. On four occasions, he supplied Sweat with needle-nose pliers and a screwdriver. He said he gave Sweat access to the catwalk to change the wiring on electrical boxes as “a favor” to make it easier for them to cook in their cells. A week before the escape, he delivered to Matt a pound of frozen ground beef in a package left by Mitchell.

“Matt provided me with elaborate paintings and information on the illegal acts that inmates were committing within the facility,” Palmer told authorities. “In turn, I provided him with benefits such as paint, paintbrushes, movement of inmates, hamburger meat, altering of electrical boxes in the catwalk areas.”

Wylie said Mitchell told investigators she smuggled hacksaw blades, a screwdriver and other tools into the prison by hiding them in the frozen meat.

After the escape, Palmer, 57, burned and buried the inmate paintings, according to documents. He has worked at the prison for more than 27 years.

Sweat, 35, was serving a life sentence without parole for killing a sheriff’s deputy. Matt, who turned 49 on Thursday, was doing 25 years to life in the kidnapping, torture and dismemberment of his former boss.