Inmate Escapes Briefly from Lewiston Job Site

Receives Additional Year in Jail for Incident

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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David R. Johnson, a 42-year-old inmate serving a two-year sentence for felony attempted grand theft, briefly escaped from a job site in Lewiston, Idaho on January 26th. He was quickly located and taken back into custody the same evening. Judge Michelle Evans has now ordered Johnson to serve an additional one-year fixed sentence for the escape incident.

Why it matters

Inmates being allowed to work at job sites outside of prison is a common practice, but escapes, even brief ones, raise concerns about public safety and the need for stricter monitoring and security protocols. This case highlights the challenges correctional facilities face in balancing rehabilitation efforts with maintaining control over the inmate population.

The details

On January 26th, while working on a job site near Thain Road in Lewiston, Idaho, David R. Johnson briefly went missing from the work crew. The Idaho Department of Correction reported that Johnson was located and taken back into police custody later that same evening. Johnson was already serving a two-year sentence for felony attempted grand theft that began in 2024.

  • On January 26, 2026, Johnson briefly escaped from a job site near Thain Road in Lewiston.
  • Later that same evening on January 26th, Johnson was located and taken back into police custody.

The players

David R. Johnson

A 42-year-old inmate serving a two-year sentence for felony attempted grand theft.

Judge Michelle Evans

The judge who ordered Johnson to serve an additional one-year fixed sentence for the escape incident.

Idaho Department of Correction

The state agency that reported Johnson was located and taken back into custody the same evening as his brief escape.

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What’s next

The judge will determine if Johnson will be allowed to continue participating in the work release program or if stricter security measures will be implemented.

The takeaway

This case highlights the delicate balance correctional facilities must strike between rehabilitation efforts that allow inmates to work outside of prison and the need to maintain strict control and monitoring to prevent even brief escapes that could compromise public safety.