Wisconsin Prison Hostage Freed Safely; Negotiations Continue With Inmate

WAUPUN, Wisconsin (AP) - A dental technician who was taken hostage early Wednesday by an inmate was released unharmed, authorities said. <br/><br/>The female technician was held in a room for about five

Wednesday, November 14th 2007, 1:02 pm

By: News On 6

WAUPUN, Wisconsin (AP) - A dental technician who was taken hostage early Wednesday by an inmate was released unharmed, authorities said.

The female technician was held in a room for about five and a half hours, said Department of Corrections spokesperson Amy Reid. The technician was taken hostage by a 37-year-old inmate who worked in the prison's Health and Segregation Complex, officials said.

The inmate was communicating with hostage negotiators, authorities said.

Prison officials learned of the hostage situation at Waupun Correctional Institution about 6:30 a.m. The facility was placed on lockdown, and inmates were ordered to their cells.

The maximum-security prison is in central Wisconsin, about 70 miles northwest of Milwaukee.