HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an attempted escape by an inmate Sunday afternoon at the Orient Road Jail.
On September 20, 2020, inmate Ashley Bryant, 28, assisted inmate Shelby Hartley, 27, into the ceiling on the second floor in an effort to escape from the jail. Hartley fell from the ceiling to the ground suffering non-life-threatening injuries. A jail nurse initially rendered aid before Hartley was transported to a local hospital.
Over the course of their investigation, detectives learned Hartley told the jail nurse, “I’m sorry, I was trying to get out. I was trying to get away.” Hartley is charged with Escape – Failure to Remain Within Limits of Confinement. Bryant is charged with Aiding Escape.
“The security at our jails makes it nearly impossible for inmates to escape from within the facilities,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The jail pods are contained and reinforced by concrete around each one. Fortunately, no other inmates or detention deputies were injured as a result of the shortsighted decisions these women made.” This remains an active investigation.