NN inmate wrongly released back in jail

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Police say an inmate who was mistakenly released from the Hampton Roads City Jail two weeks ago has turned himself in.

23-year-old Christopher Devon Barrett was mistakenly released from jail November 5. Barrett was incarcerated on firearms charges and was being held without bond when he was mistakenly released, according to officials with the NNPD.

Many want to know how this happened, so WAVY.com spoke with Major Eugene Taylor of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail.  He says, "He was released based on information we received from the judge's clerk...the clerk's office in Newport News."

The following is a timeline, according to Major Taylor, that led to Barrett's mistaken release:

August 5, 2009:  Barrett was transferred from the Newport News City Jail to the Hampton Roads Regional Jail for a charge of carrying a concealed weapon.

October 16, 2009:  The Hampton Roads Regional Jail received incomplete paperwork concerning a separate charge from 2008 against Barrett.

October 19, 2009:  Jail Employees called the Newport News Clerk of Courts for clarification about the paperwork. She told jail employees Barrett was bonded on the 2008 charges.

November 5, 2009:  Barrett went before a judge on his charge of carrying a concealed weapon which was nolle prosequi and he was sent back to jail for his release.

However, Major Taylor says he learned Tuesday, Barrett wasn't supposed to be released, because the bond from the 2008 charge was actually revoked.  Taylor says the clerk of courts missed that part of the document.

However, he's quick to point out his office also made the mistake of not having a hard copy of the paperwork. 

Taylor says,"Our main goal is to ensure that this type of circumstance doesn't happen again. So we'll ensure that if we receive word of an inmates release, we'll also make sure we receive the documentation for that as well."

Now he says an internal investigation is underway and should be complete within 24 hours.