TRION, Ga. — Authorities were searching for two inmates who escaped Monday from Forest Hays Jr. State Prison here.
Hays Prison is a "close security facility," according to officials with the Georgia Department of Corrections, but Corrections officials would not provide any details about how the two escaped.
The inmates, Johnny Mack Brown, 53, and Michael A. Tweedel, 48, escaped Monday, fleeing from the state prison near Trion about 10:30 a.m., Corrections officials said.
Officials at the prison, with the Department of Corrections and with the Chattooga County Sheriff's Department said Monday night they could not give information about how the two escaped.
"We don't want to hinder the investigation or the search," said Joan Heath, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections.
According to a news release from the department, Mr. Brown, 53, was serving a life sentence for armed robbery, hijacking a motor vehicle, theft by taking, aggravated battery and aggravated assault.
He is described as white, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 149 pounds. He has scars on his back and on his right thigh.
Mr. Tweedel, 48, was serving two 10-year sentences for armed robbery. He is described as white, 5 feet 6 inches tall and 153 pounds with no prominent body markings, according to authorities.
Local law enforcement officials and the Georgia State Patrol were assisting Department of Corrections officials in the search.
Search teams were focusing on the area of northeastern Chattooga County, around the Spring Creek area.
Anyone who sees suspicious people in the area is asked to immediately report their observations to local law enforcement agencies.