At about 2 p.m. Tuesday, a 21 year-old minimum-security inmate escaped from the Vandalia Correctional Center in Vandalia, Ill., approximately 60 miles from Collinsville.

Marcus Battice

Marcus Battice, an African-American male described as 5-feet-9, 167 pounds, was inside the fence at the prison and had been considered a low risk for escape. He escaped while returning from the commissary. The details of the escape are still being investigated, a spokesperson said.

Battice was last seen wearing a prison issue dark blue shirt and dark pants. He was wearing white tennis shoes.

Sentenced to four years for possession of a stolen vehicle, Battice was eligible for parole in less than four months, an Illinois Department of Corrections spokesperson said. Battice was previously in prison for burglary.

The Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Corrections are coordinating the search. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, including canines, are involved.

Although Battice was not imprisoned for a violent offense, officials urge caution. Anyone who sees Battice should contact law enforcement.

Battice was sentenced in Cook County for his most recent offense and DuPage County for burglary. It is not known if he has any ties to Southern Illinois.