LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An escaped inmate forced a brief lockdown at Louisville Metro Corrections Wednesday morning.
According to a news release from Metro Corrections Maj. Darrell Goodlett, Marcus Prosser, 50, escaped while waiting for arraignment court.
"At approximately 8:30 this morning, one of our court officers realized one of the folks incarcerated here, Mr. Marcus Prosser, was missing and potentially had gotten out of the arraignment courtroom," said Louisville Metro Corrections Director Jerry Collins.
A WDRB Media crew was at the jail to cover an arraignment, when the jail was placed on lockdown due to an inmate escape. During the commotion our crews spotted an orange inmate jump suit and a bag of Reese's in the lobby of the jail.
An escaped inmate at Louisville Metro Corrections left behind his jail jumpsuit and a bag of candy. (WDRB Image) Oct. 26, 2022
"I'm not clear on a bag of Reese's. I came down and saw a jumpsuit top and a bag of candy. That might've been from the box in the lobby," said Collins.
Collins said at some point before escaping, Prosser had changed out of his orange corrections shirt and into a reflective vest.
According to the jail director, two officers were working in the main lobby at the time of the escape. One was at the main desk and the other by the metal detectors which is the only way in or out of the main lobby.
The jail was put on lockdown at around 9:15 a.m. while jail staff and other law enforcement searched the streets. Roughly 40 minutes after Prosser escaped, he was spotted by law enforcement trying to catch a bus at 13th & Market.
Collins said Prosser stated, "It's not me," while placing his hands up in the air when being approached and taken into custody by Metro Corrections officers.
"I was actually able to speak to him in the back of the vehicle when we were bringing him back. It goes back to some of the problems and desperation we're having in the community and folks that have substance abuse problems, and basically he told me he was detoxing and wanted to get dope," Collins said.
Prosser now faces a new charge of 2nd degree escape.
Prosser was being held on drug charges, shoplifting, bench warrants, probation violation, obstructing governmental operations, and also has a fugitive warrant from Tennessee, Goodlett said in the release.
The Metro Corrections Professional Standards Unit is continuing to investigate the escape.
Collins thanked LMPD for its swift actions and assistance in searching for the inmate. He said as the investigation continues, the jail will make any necessary adjustments to ensure safety and security.
"We immediately look at the circumstances on it and close the gap on it, whether there was an issue that didn't exist before or if it was a personnel issue," he said. "We have to keep these folks in custody."
On Thursday morning, Prosser appeared before a judge, where a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. His bond was set at $10,000, and he is expected to be extradited to Tennessee to face drug charges.
He is scheduled to appear in court again in Louisville next week.
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