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By TYLER GASKILL
Courier Staff Writer

For the second time in less than a week, an inmate from the Cowley County Jail performing work release duties has failed to return.

Christopher Lee Montgomery, 24, was released from the jail at 6:45 a.m. Friday to go to work at Winfield Cleaners. He arrived to work on time, but after being released for lunch break at noon, he did not return.

"At 12:40 p.m. we received a call from the manager saying that after lunch break (Montgomery) hadn't returned," Cowley County Undersheriff Don Read said.

Montgomery had been incarcerated since April 4, serving a six-month sentence on charges of failure to appear for municipal court in Arkansas City and a 12-month sentence for two probation violations for misdemeanor theft, with both sentences running concurrently. He had been on work release since May 13.

After factoring in time served and almost 158 days credit, Montgomery had about 130 days left to his 12-month sentence, Read said.

Montgomery now faces a charged of misdemeanor escape from custody, which can carry a sentence of up to 12 months.

Read said both Winfield and Arkansas City Police departments were notified of Montgomery's escape from custody, and were on the lookout for him.

Another inmate on work release, Tyler Christian, did not return after his work day late Wednesday last week.

Christian left the Cowley County Jail at 4:30 p.m., and usually returned from work at 11 p.m., though Read said he occasionally worked late.

Christian contacted a sheriff's deputy over the weekend, stating he planned to turn himself in today, Read said.

If you have information on the whereabouts of either inmate, notify the Cowley County Sheriff's Department at 221-5444.