Milpitas inmate climbs fence during failed escape

MILPITAS, Calif. (KGO) -- An inmate tried, but failed to escape from the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas on Sunday.

A Santa Clara County Sheriff's Deputy noticed an inmate on surveillance video as he was climbing a fence in the middle of the day.

The fences surround the jail perimeter.

WATCH VIDEO: Cameras installed at Santa Clara Co. jail to help troubled system

Christoper Boscacci was just arrested Friday for petty theft, which is a misdemeanor.

He tried to break free by trying to climb the 25-foot fence, but got his sandals stuck in the wiring, fell and got caught instead.

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Deputies saw it as it was happening on a security camera facing the perimeter. "He started over on one of the buildings, he went on the interior perimeter fence and then when he got to here he went across the power lines to these fences and he fell between the two fences," Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said.

Smith has been a big advocate for more surveillance in jails, following accusations of excessive force involving guards. She even bought some cameras with her own money.

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The camera that captured video of the inmate was recently installed as part of those jail reforms. "We pushed really hard for cameras earlier this year and we got new cameras, much better resolution and I think the cameras are what prevented the escape," Smith said.

What makes this story even more bizarre is Boscacci was scheduled to be released in a week and could have been sent home as early as Monday.

Instead, he was arraigned for the attempted escape and will serve more time behind bars.