December 29, 2008

BISHOPVILLE, S.C. -- An employee at a maximum-security prison in South Carolina appeared physically unharmed after being held hostage by an inmate for two hours.

Corrections spokesman Josh Gelinas said 43-year-old inmate Tony Mack took the employee hostage at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville at 2:30 p.m. Monday. Mack surrendered about two hours
later after talking with negotiators.

Gelinas said the employee was being examined but appeared to be physically unharmed. Mack will be placed in isolation at another maximum-security prison.

Prison records show Mack began serving a 30-year sentence for murder in 2004.

The name of the employee has not been released.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.