Inmates to be transferred after disturbance

By By William F. West / community editor
Feb. 26, 2003
Officers and emergency personnel at the East Mississippi Correctional Facility at Lost Gap quelled a two-hour disturbance Tuesday night, but officials said today the situation is under control.
Prison officials said arrangements were being made to transfer 29 inmates to the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman as a result of the disturbance.
Officials said the disturbance happened about 6:30 p.m. and lasted two hours because inmates refused to return to their cells. They said emergency personnel used chemical agents to regain control of the inmates.
Warden Larry Greer, in a brief statement, said he was proud of the manner in which the prison workers responded to the emergency.
The 750-bed prison is located off U.S. 80 at Lost Gap. It is operated by the Florida-based Wackenhut Corp.
Greer became the prison warden in October, replacing Aaron Jagers, who left to become warden of Wackenhut's prison in Marshall County.