DIXON, IL - An inmate at Dixon Correctional Center in Downstate Illinois held a staff member hostage Thursday night as negotiatons took place between the inmate and state prison officials, officials said.

About 12:45 p.m., the inmate, whom corrections officials would not identify, took the staffer hostage, said Department of Corrections spokesman Sergio Molina. No one was hurt, and the prison was immediately locked down, Molina said.

Negotiators were speaking directly with the inmate late Thursday in the medium-security, all-male facility, and he is cooperating, Molina said.

No other inmates were involved, he said. There have been no previous hostage situations at Dixon, Molina said.

Corrections officials faxed to the Tribune a letter signed with the name of a man who is incarcerated at Dixon on multiple rape convictions. In the letter, the man said his case was mishandled by the judge and lawyers.