Rikers Island on lockdown, inmate missing

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Rikers Island is on lockdown after correction officers reported a missing inmate.

Sources tell Eyewitness News that the inmate jumped a fence at the Anna M. Kross Center jail, located on the Rikers Island complex which houses over 2,800 inmates.

At around 7:30 p.m., Eyewitness News has learned that DOC staff observed that their headcount was off by one.

Rikers Island spokesman Peter Thorne released a statement saying,

"This evening, on Rikers Island, it appears an inmate did not return from outdoor recreation. A thorough investigation is underway, which includes an active search for this individual in coordination with NYPD. Rikers Island facilities have been placed on lockdown and we are talking to anyone who may be involved."

Correction officers are doing a sweep of the area.

Busloads of relatives of inmates arrived after waiting for hours after being held during the search of the island. The buses were intensely searched, inside and out.

"I seen them searching under the buses, they had like mirrors to see if the inmate I guess was like hiding under the bus," a visitor said.

"We have been here since 7:15 p.m. on the bus, people passed out, we couldn't get water, couldn't get off the bus," another visitor said.

Multiple agencies including NYPD Harbor, Aviation and Port Authority Police are assisting NY Correction in the search.

The identity of the missing inmate has not yet been released.