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Update on DPSCS investigation into mistaken release

Purnell Rodriquez

  • The DPSCS Warrant Apprehension Unit is assisting Baltimore City Police and other law enforcement personnel in the search for Rodriquez Purnell.
  • The Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and other top DPSCS leaders are overseeing the investigation of this matter, and a team of detectives has been assigned by the Executive Director of the DPSCS Intelligence and Investigative Division (IID) to investigate.
  • There is a system in place that requires staff to perform multiple checks before a person is released, including for outstanding warrants, detainers, and pending charges.
  • Release procedures were not followed according to policy, and the investigation will determine exactly which procedures were not adhered to, and whether any policies need to be changed.
  • Any administrative action, including any discipline, that is undertaken as a result of the investigation will be announced as soon as possible.
  • Mr. Purnell was a sentenced inmate housed at the MD Reception, Diagnostic, and Classification Center in Baltimore who was also awaiting trial on additional charges. He was released despite the pending charges for which he is due to stand trial next month.
  • Mr. Purnell was not considered missing during weekend inmate counts because it was believed he had been released properly. He had not escaped or become unaccounted for.
  •  On Sunday night, a citizen alerted the facility about Mr. Purnell—more than 48 hours after the release.  The investigation and notification to law enforcement began immediately after that contact.
  • DPSCS annually releases approximately 10,000 sentenced inmates; its pretrial facilities daily hold an average of more than 3,000 detainees.

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DPSCS Communications Contacts:

Gerard Shields | 410-339-5834 | gshields@dpscs.state.md.us

Mark Vernarelli | 410-339-5065 | mvernarelli@dpscs.state.md.us

Communications Office | 410-339-5081

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