Three inmates take a hike from Casa Grande

Thursday, March 9, 2006 | 7:18 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Three state prison inmates at the recently opened Casa Grande Transitional Center in Clark County got itchy feet and didn't come back from their work assignments last week.

All three had little time left before they were to complete their terms or appear before the state Parole Board. Now if captured, they will face escape charges, with maximum prison time of five years, said Fritz Schlottman, spokesman for the state Corrections Department.

Casa Grande, opened in December, is a minimum security pre-release center where inmates are able to get jobs and work in the daytime as they get ready to be freed.

The sentence for Chante Stafford, 35, serving one to 2 1/2 years for battery with substantial harm was due to end March 19, but he didn't report back from work last Thursday. He was captured over the weekend.

Clifford Brown, 22, serving one to four years for possession of a stolen vehicle was due to see the Parole Board in May. He failed to report back Friday from his job.

The term for Charles Deverna, 28, serving one to three years for attempted possession of a stolen vehicle, was due to expire in September. He was reported missing Thursday.