Fort Dodge, Iowa (Webster County)

Robert D. Young Jr., 25, a minimum security prisoner at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility walked away from his grass cutting detail on institution grounds. Young was working outside the perimeter fence around 12:30 p.m. today.

Young is described as a 5 feet tall, 125 pounds, white male, with brown hair, blue eyes and tattoos on his upper right arm and right knee.

Young was sentenced in Webster County for second-degree theft, two counts of voluntary absence and domestic assault. He began serving a 7 year 28 day sentence on June 7, 2006. His tentative discharge date was set for January 16, 2009.

At 2:20 p.m. this afternoon Young was spotted by prison personnel under a train bridge that spans the Des Moines River in Fort Dodge. Young fled into nearby woods.

According to the Iowa Department of Corrections website the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility (FDCF) is a medium security prison originally designed to house 762 adult male offenders in a double occupancy celled environment.

The facility opened in April 1998 on 60 acres of land in southern Fort Dodge.

Before the first offenders arrived the facility was expanded for an additional 400 beds and program space. In 2002, 127 two-man cells were converted to house three offenders. Current rated capacity is 1162.

The Unit Management concept is employed at FDCF. The facility's seven housing units are organized to support positive behavior.

Prison personnel were assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Webster County Sheriff's Department and Fort Dodge Police Department.

Escapee Apprehended

Fred Saletta of the Iowa Department of Corrections and Fort Dodge Correctional Facility Deputy Warden Darlene Baugh are confirming that shortly after 5:00 p.m. Robert Dean Young was apprehended in Fort Dodge.