Former Correctional Officer Sentenced to Eight Months in Federal Prison for Aiding and Assisting Escape

LEV L. DASSIN, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that HOPE SPINATO, 42, of Pinebush, New York, was sentenced yesterday to eight months in prison by United States District Judge KENNETH M. KARAS in White Plains federal court.

SPINATO, a former correctional officer at Federal Correctional Institute Otisville (“FCI Otisville”), pleaded guilty on April 21, 2009, to one count of aiding and assisting an inmate escape from FCI Otisville. According to the Information filed in White Plains federal court and a previously filed Complaint:

On or about July 15, 2007, SPINATO, who was then working as a correctional officer at FCI Otisville, drove an inmate, who had previously been convicted of federal narcotics charges and was serving a 203-month sentence, from FCI Otisville to her home. SPINATO returned the inmate to FCI Otisville later that day. SPINATO subsequently admitted that she had had an intimate relationship with the inmate and had brought the inmate out of FCI Otisville on numerous occasions, including on July 15, 2007.

In imposing sentence, Judge KARAS noted that SPINATO had assisted in the inmate’s escape on numerous occasions. Judge KARAS further noted that SPINATO had initially denied any involvement in the inmate’s escape.

Mr. DASSIN praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, and the Special Investigations Section of FCI Otisville for their assistance in the investigation of this case.

Assistant United States Attorney KATHRYN M. MARTIN is in charge of the prosecution.