Arizona inmate with 20 years left in sentence erroneously released from prison

PHOENIX – An Arizona inmate with over 20 years left in his sentence was apprehended last week after his erroneous release from prison, authorities announced Friday.

David Cramer was let out of the Lewis Complex in Buckeye after fraudulent documentation was uploaded to the court docket, according to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry.

ADCRR didn’t say when Cramer was released while announcing that he was apprehended on Aug. 20 without incident.

According to prison records, Cramer isn’t due for release until 2047. He was incarcerated in 2014 after being convicted of kidnapping, resisting arrest and endangerment.

What are authorities doing after Arizona inmate was erroneously released?

ADCRR referred the case for prosecution to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. In addition, authorities are launching a wide-ranging investigation into what went wrong and how to keep it from happening again.

The probe will cover ADCRR’s internal processes as well as how the agency communicates with other criminal justice entities, including the Arizona Judicial Branch.

“This successful apprehension demonstrates the importance of interagency collaboration and the commitment ADCRR and local law enforcement officers have to keep the Arizona community safe,” Director Ryan Thornell said in a press release. “Public safety remains ADCRR’s highest priority, and we are thankful for the support of our law enforcement partners who aided in the swift apprehension.”

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