The woman who plead guilty to helping two inmates escape from the Clinton Correctional Facility in June sat down for her first interview to explain herself.
Joyce Mitchell told Today’s Matt Lauer that she was in over her head and blamed her actions on depression.
“A lot of people go through [depression],” the 51-year-old former prison tailor shop employee said. “And I just got in over my head. And I couldn't get out. And I couldn't tell anybody. I couldn't tell my husband. Couldn't tell my family. I couldn't tell my co-workers.”
Mitchell was arrested and jailed for admittedly sneaking contraband into the prison for inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat to use in their elaborate escape. She allegedly had a sexual relationship with Matt and was supposed to be the getaway car for the escapees, but did not show up.
Both men led authorities on a three-week chase that ended with Matt fatally shot and Sweat recaptured.
Mitchell’s full interview is set to air on Sept. 14.
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