Patrol: Inmate taken in custody; no physical injuries to employee from five-hour prison standoff

A hostage situation Monday inside the South Central Correctional Center at Licking ended safely following a five-hour standoff.

Authorities said around 8 a.m., an inmate entered a staff office inside a housing unit, took a clerical staff member hostage and barricaded a door. Emergency protocols were initiated, and the Missouri Department of Corrections began working with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement to reach a resolution, said Karen Pojmann, a communications official with the Missouri Department of Corrections. 

At 1 p.m., the inmate released the staff member without incident or injury. The employee was immediately debriefed and provided with trauma support services, Pojmann said. 

About 15 minutes later, the Missouri State Highway Patrol SWAT team and the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) entered the building. The inmate, who has not been identified, exited the office and was apprehended – ending the just over five hour standoff.  

“We are grateful to the highway patrol, the Licking Police Department and the Texas County Sheriff’s Department for their prompt response to this situation,” Pojmann said. “Their professionalism and expertise helped bring about a quick resolution and protect the safety of our staff and residents.”

Texas County Prosecutor Parke Stevens Jr. said he had not received a report on the incident, as of press time. No charges have been filed. The Missouri Department of Corrections said it would not release the inmate’s name involved, citing an ongoing investigation. 

Area law enforcement agencies converged shortly after the incident was reported at the West Highway 32 prison and staged outside the facility, which was opened in 2000. By the time the incident ended, there were an estimated 30 state troopers on scene, according to a state patrol Troop I spokeswoman Cpl. Ralicia Tyler.

The news broke around 9 a.m. after a social media post by the Licking Police Department, which said law enforcement from several agencies were on scene. The department urged persons not to clog Texas County 911 with inquiries.

Agencies reported at the maximum-security prison included: The Licking Police Department, Texas County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and a Special Response Team (SRT) from Texas County. 

Beginning about 11 a.m., another round of state patrol vehicles passed through Houston headed northbound on U.S. 63 with sirens blaring as they responded to the Missouri Department of Corrections facility that employs more than 300. Monday’s hostage situation was the longest security incident to occur in the 25 years since the state prison opened. 

Published earlier: Area law enforcement agencies converged Monday morning at a state prison at Licking after a hostage situation in the 1,600-bed facility on West Route 32.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol spokeswoman said an employee was taken hostage at the South Central Correctional Center at Licking earlier this morning. A specialized patrol team was en route to the prison, according to the spokeswoman.

The news broke after a social media post by the Licking Police Department, which said law enforcement from several agencies were on scene, and urged persons not to clog Texas County 911 with inquiries.

Agencies reported on scene include: The Licking Police Department, Texas County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and a Special Response Team (SRT) from Texas County.

Beginning at about 11, many state patrol enforcement vehicles passed through Houston headed northbound on U.S. 63 with sirens blaring as they responded to the Missouri Department of Corrections facility that employees more than 300.