Mississippi prison riot leaves guard dead, 8 hurt

The disturbance began about midafternoon and involved dozens of inmates before it was brought under control late Sunday night.

Adams County Coroner James Lee confirmed that a guard had died, but he said he could provide no details until the correctional officer's family was notified.

Emilee Beach, a spokeswoman at the Adams County Correctional Center in southwestern Mississippi, said the uprising involved multiple inmates. She said she wasn't sure how many because the investigation was ongoing.

Beach said the prison, owned and operated by Corrections Corp. of America, holds illegal immigrants, most for charges of re-entering the United States after deportation.

The 2,567-bed prison houses male illegal immigrants for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said in a statement early Monday that there had been at least two dozen hostages but prison personnel had "gained total control" of the complex.

The five injured guards were taken to a hospital for treatment. Their injuries weren't considered life-threatening.

Corrections Corp. spokesman Steve Owen confirmed in an email that "there has been one employee death" but said he could not provide more details.

Adams County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Emily Ham said no inmates had escaped.