A jailer or other officer who, through negligence, suffers a prisoner in his or her custody, convicted of or charged with a crime, to escape, shall be civilly liable to any person proximately damaged as a result thereof to the maximum amount of $500.00. A person so damaged may maintain a civil action therefor. (Added 1977, No. 233 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. April 17, 1978.)