A prison worker from the Clinton Correctional Facility named Joyce Mitchell was arrested after being charged with helping in the escape of inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat last week.

The pair escaped the maximum-state security prison in upstate New York State last weekend, and Mitchell reportedly befriended them and gave them some tools such as chisels, hacksaw blades, and a screwdriver bit which aided their escape, said criminal complaints.

Like Us on Facebook

Joyce E. Mitchell, 51 is from Dickinson Center, N.Y. Her charges include a felony, promoting prison contraband, and criminal facilitation in the fourth degree, which is considered a misdemeanor.

Mitchell reportedly provided information to the police voluntarily. They put the civilian employee under surveillance after the escape as a probable accomplice in the form of a getaway driver. However, Mitchell sought hospitalization after experiencing a panic attack on the day of the New York prison break.

The 51-year-old's arrest came after she cooperated with authorities and provided some information aiding in the ongoing manhunt, according to Clinton County District Attorney Andrew M. Wylie Friday.

Mitchell appeared in a Clinton County courtroom in in Plattsburgh Friday night. She pleaded not guilty. The judge set a $110,000 bond for Mitchell. She will be held by authorities until her next court appearance on Monday.

If convicted, Mitchel could potentially face a maximum of eight years behind bars. On Friday, she was suspended from her job as an industrial training supervisor.

Mitchell's arrest is the first major development in what has fast become the longest prison break in New York. The current manhunt involves more than 800 searchers. On Friday, they worked overnight searching near the maximum-security prison where the inmates escaped, according to The New York Times.

The search has been focused a few miles away from the prison. Searchers scoured the woods and communities nearby, going door-to-door, reported Reuters.

Matt and Sweat have used power tools to get out of their cells. They surfaced through a manhole at the other side of the prison. It wasn't until the Saturday 5:30 a.m. bed check that authorities learned of the escape, reported CNN. According to two law enforcement sources, both fugitives are still together while on the run.

Tagsnew York prison worker, joyce Mitchell, prison worker joyce Mitchell, prison worker joyce Mitchell arrested, Clinton Correctional Facility, Clinton county, Richard matt, David Sweat