NH State Prison for Men Escaped Inmate Back In Custody

CONCORD, N.H. – An inmate of the NH State Prison for Men who escaped while under supervision at Concord Hospital has been located and is back in custody.

At approximately 10:15 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024, members of the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, NH State Police, Concord Police Department, US Marshals, and other area law enforcement agencies responded to the hospital for reports that the inmate, identified as 37-year-old Benjamin Ayala, had escaped custody and fled on foot.

A search of the surrounding area was launched immediately including law enforcement personnel, K9s, and drones.

Just after midnight on Saturday, February 24, 2024, troopers with the NH State Police Special Enforcement Unit with the assistance of a drone located Ayala along Woodman Street in Concord, approximately 1 mile from where he was last seen. He was taken into custody without incident.

At the time of Ayala’s apprehension, the Department of Corrections was actively working with the Department of Safety on issuing a public notice of the escape. The immediate law enforcement response was focused on taking Ayala into custody. Ayala was taken into custody during the preparation of and before the public notice could be issued.

The Department of Corrections transported Ayala back to the NH State Prison for Men where he is now in secure custody. Ayala’s escape is under investigation and additional charges are likely pending the outcome of that investigation.

Ayala is currently incarcerated for aggravated felonious sexual assault and multiple assault charges, with a current maximum release date of June 11, 2048.

The Department of Corrections thanks all agencies who assisted with safely taking Ayala into custody.