Inmate takes volunteer hostage at state prison

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A prisoner took a volunteer hostage, reportedly hitting her twice, before releasing her after an hour-long standoff Friday at the Jefferson City Correctional Center, authorities said.

The 46-year-old woman, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital but was expected to be released, department spokesman Tim Kniest said.

The inmate was identified as Dominic Moore, 23, who was serving a 20-year sentence for rape, robbery and armed criminal action in St. Louis. He had been in prison since Feb. 4, 2000, and had no previous violent incidents, Kniest said.

Corrections officials were investigating, Kniest said.

Moore was working in the staff dining room when he locked himself in a nearby bathroom with the woman shortly before 1 p.m., Kniest said. The situation was resolved peacefully around 2 p.m.

The woman was a volunteer in the prison's substance abuse treatment program in which Moore was a participant, Kniest said.

Moore was placed in a solitary cell after the incident.

"The department will not tolerate any assault on our staff and volunteers," department director Gary Kempker said.