Maine prison hostages freed

WARREN, Maine, July 1 (UPI) -- Two hostages taken by a knife-wielding inmate at a Maine prison were freed Monday and the inmate was back in custody, authorities said.

Officials at the Maine State Prison said the hostages -- a staff member and an inmate -- were released with "minimal or no injury," WABI-TV in Bangor reported

The incident at the maximum security prison began about 2:30 p.m. and ended about four hours later when the hostage-taker, identified as Michael Chasse, was taken into custody. It wasn't clear how the situation was resolved, the TV station reported.

Maine Gov. John Baldacci said he was "thankful that the crisis has ended without loss of life," CNN reported.

"The Department of Corrections and State Police should be commended for their handling of a very dangerous situation," the governor said.