Mississippi Prison Riots: One Escaped Inmate Recovered, Another Still At Large

One of two inmates that recently escaped from the Mississippi State Penitentiary during a statewide lockdown has been recovered.

David May, 42, was taken into custody by agents from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) earlier today along with a 2011 GMC truck used in the escape.

The other inmate, Dillion Williams, 27, remains at large after being reported missing alongside May on Saturday during an emergency inmate count. Both men were being held at a facility in Parchman, Mississippi.

DPS and MBI officers have been responding to restore order and apprehend the two escapees. I have directed the use of all necessary assets and personnel to achieve this result. Over 500 inmates have been moved to a more secure detention and a general lockdown continues. pic.twitter.com/EfMSvLT9UJ
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) January 4, 2020

Williams and May's escapes followed a period of intense violence within the Mississippi prison system, one which necessitated a statewide lockdown on Dec. 29 following one death and two injuries at South Mississippi Correctional Institute.

According to Heather Burton, a coroner in the Parchman area, gang warfare within multiple prisons incited a rash of violence and riots which has so far resulted in the deaths of five inmates, three of which occurred in May and Williams’ facility. It was during this chaos that the men reportedly made their escape attempt.

"Things are kind of surreal at this point," Burton said. "Every time the phone rings at this point, it's another one."

May is currently serving a life sentence for aggravated assault, while the younger Williams is serving 40 years for aggravated assault and burglary. Mississippi authorities urge anyone with information about Williams and his whereabouts to contact the MBI at (601) 987-1530, or the Mississippi Department of Corrections at (662) 745-6611.