12 patients escape Plymouth detox facility in first month since relocating

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — The state is stepping up security at a detox center in Plymouth after a dozen patients escaped in less than one month.

Massachusetts Correctional Institution – Plymouth is a minimum security prison located in Myles Standish State Forest. It’s also the new home of a detox center that had previously been at Bridgewater State Hospital.

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Earlier this month, Sky25 was overhead during a search for patients who had walked away from the addiction treatment rehab center.

“The first time there was a lot of activity so we kind of knew about it but the last few times we really haven’t heard anything,” Tom Keane, who lives just a few miles from the prison with his family, said. “It’s a concern in this neighborhood especially since there are a lot of kids.”

This past Sunday was the third time since the treatment center relocated on May 1 that those undergoing treatment escaped. In total 12 patients have left the facility, unnerving many neighbors.

“It’s obviously not working if I am seeing helicopters in the air,” neighbor Josh Raymond said.

The facility is where addicts are civilly ordered by a judge to go for detox, usually against their will. State officials say the new site offers better facilities for treatment and has more beds.

The Department of Correction issuing a statement to Boston 25 News Tuesday saying in part: “We are in the process of having fences installed at the facility and anticipate having some of the fencing installed as early as three weeks from now.”

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A tactical team is also on hand, but that did not stop the three patients Sunday who walked out Sunday.

Cox Media Group