Prisoner Escapes From Haskell County Jail

A man accused of robbing an elderly woman by putting a knife to her throat is still on the loose after escaping from the Haskell County Jail.

The prisoner is Edward Branch, a convict who has escaped once before, according to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections web site.

Branch, 36, has a long criminal history including convictions for assault and battery, breaking and entering, robbery by force and possession of a firearm.

Stigler Public Schools was on lockdown much of the day. The lockdown was lifted Tuesday afternoon, but staff will continue close supervision of students until Branch is captured, according to Superintendent Clayton Edwards.

"We'll proceed with caution tomorrow. We won't be in full lockdown mode; we're going to run our bus routes," he said Tuesday afternoon.

"If they take a recess, we will have more supervision and keep them closer to our building. I just hope they apprehend him as soon as possible," Edwards said.

The Stigler News Sentinel reports that Branch escaped through a room that houses plumbing for the jail. He was being held most recently for reportedly robbing an elderly woman by holding a knife to her throat.

Branch is described as 36-year-old man who is 5'5" and 150 pounds. He has hazel eyes and light brown hair. He also has numerous tattoos.