Although it’s unclear exactly what the issue is at Lee Correctional Institution, multiple armed guards have been spotted on the ground as well as on the facility’s roof, local WLTX reported. The state Department of Corrections has confirmed that the prison is on lockdown as officials deal with the situation.
Local reporter Savannah Levins, meanwhile, tweeted that more than 15 police vehicles have sped onto prison grounds, and more are arriving.
#news19 Armed guards on the roof of Lee Correctional. Armed guards walking the grounds. Armed guard at front gate. http://ift.tt/1DvZrB7
— JR Berry WLTX (@JRBerryWLTX) February 26, 2015
Just in: Our crews can see prison guards on top of roof at Lee Correctional. @JRBerryWLTX on the scene. #News19http://ift.tt/1DvZpJw
— Scott Cooke (@cookescott) February 26, 2015
The prison has been home to security incidents in the past. Back in 2012, inmates held a corrections office hostage in a closet for hours before officials were able to free him. He was injured but able to walk out of the prison before being airlifted to a hospital.
In 2003, two officers were also taken hostage, and one of the officers was stabbed in the arm with a homemade knife as a result.
Lee Correctional recently underwent significant renovations as officials attempted to boost security. According to local NBC affiliate News 2, approximately $237,000 was spent to construct two new guard towers at the facility in order to keep prisoners from escaping and also to try and keep banned substances from making their way inside.
A $2.2 million camera system has also been installed featuring technology that can detect an inmate’s body heat and keep an eye on them in the dark.
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