Fort Belknap police vow to prevent another escape

Despite a previous escape attempt, only one Fort Belknap Detention Center officer was with Gabriel Arkinson when he fled into downtown Havre, while being transported from Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation to Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.

Mark Azure, president of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Council, spoke about the incident last Wednesday during an interview with the Havre Daily News.

"We are doing the best we can to make sure this never happens again," said Azure, when referring to the Nov. 16 escape that prompted a lockdown of Havre's public schools, Bullhook Community Health Center and several other buildings, and spurred a street-by-street manhunt.

Two hours later, Arkinson was discovered in a bathroom shared by Western Drug Pharmacy and the Social Security office on 5th Avenue.

Despite a policy of at least two detention officers being with a prisoner at all times when they are being transported, Azure said, only one had been with Arkinson in the vehicle when he took flight,

Azure said he was not sure why protocol was not followed.

Though he did not know all the details about how Arkinson, 29, of Rocky Boy, had gotten away, Azure said that the attempted-murder suspect apparently reached over while in the back seat, opened the door and exited the vehicle.

Azure said he learned of the details of Arkinson's getaway when detention center personnel went before the tribal council, following an investigation, to present their findings of how the prisoner broke free and what measures could be taken to prevent a recurrence of what happened.

George Horse Capture, vice president of the tribal council, who previously had declined to speak with the newspaper due to the ongoing investigation, said the meeting happened between a week and a half to two weeks ago.

Going forward, Azure said, officials will make sure that criminal suspects en route from one location to another are escorted by a minimum of two officers, and that the vehicle's back doors were reinforced to prevent a suspect from being able to gain access to the handle.

Azure said ways of blocking the door handle from inmates also were discussed, including welding or bolting a metal plate over the handle on the interior of the door. However, he said safety concerns, such as the ability of passengers and prisoners to get out of the vehicle in the event of a crash or other emergency, must also be taken into account before such actions are taken.

Azure did not say what additional measures would be implemented to prevent another escape, but said guards need to remember they have people in their custody who are suspected criminals who are willing to exploit any weakness or seize any opportunity to break free.

Regardless of how the incident happened, Azure said Fort Belknap law enforcement would dedicate themselves to making sure it does not happen again.

Azure apologized for taking so long to reply to the newspaper's requests for comment and lauded the Havre Police Department, Hill County Sheriff's Office, Montana Highway Patrol and the U.S Border Patrol for swiftly apprehending the suspect.

Arkinson meanwhile, is being held at the Valley County Detention Center in Glasgow. The jail roster said he has been there since Nov. 17, while he awaits his trial which is scheduled for Feb. 17 in Fort Belknap Tribal Court.

Joe Hardgrave, Arkinson's attorney, said his client faces charges of attempted murder, assault on a peace officer, attempted aggravated assault, two counts of criminal endangerment, criminal mischief, injury to personal property, careless driving, reckless driving to elude, driving under the influence and driving with a revoked or suspended driver's licence. Hardgrave said his client intends to plead not guilty on all charges.

Azure and other Fort Belknap officials would not say whether they would press charges against Arkinson for his escape into downtown Havre.