BISHOPVILLE, SC (WIS) -
Negotiators are trying to diffuse a hostage situation at Lee Correctional Institution, according to officials from the state Corrections Department.
Clark Newsom, spokesman for the Corrections Department, says a corrections officer was taken hostage by an inmate in the Chesterfield Dorm around 5:00 p.m. Newsom says officials believe he is the only officer whose safety is in question.
Officials are not sure if the officer is safe.
There are currently no known injuries.
"This is a maximum security facility, and you have people there who are serving life sentences," said Newsom.
Newsom said about 120 inmates are in the Chesterfield Dorm, which is beside an area for disciplinary action.
Officials are trying to determine if a prisoner is leading the group, and they say it's not a very organized action. Prisoners are not making demands, so Newsom says they believe the incident was a crime of opportunity for the prisoners involved.
A WIS news team is at the facility and we will have more about this story as soon as it develops.
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Gate at Lee Correctional Institution (Source: Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield)
