NATCHEZ — Wilkinson County Community Work Center inmate Yerby Lee Hughes simply walked off the job on Wednesday morning.

Tara Booth, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, said Hughes was serving three years for an uttering forgeries conviction.

He had been incarcerated since July 2007.

Booth said Hughes was working with the Adams County Public Works Department when he went missing.

Booth did not know where Hughes was working or what type of work he was doing when he went missing.

“This is highly irregular,” she said.

Booth said since Hughes had never showed any violent tendencies and tested negative for drugs and alcohol he was eligible for the Work Center Program.

Adams County Sheriff Ronny Brown said his office had been notified of the escape.

Brown said he suspect that Hughes had some assistance in getting away from the work crew.

“He might not even be around here anymore,” he said.

Hughes was last wearing a green and white striped prison uniform.

Authorities describe Hughes as a white male with brown eyes and brown hair. He is 31 years old and weighs approximately 170 pounds.

Booth said Hughes is not considered dangerous.

Anyone with knowledge of Hughes’ whereabouts should contact the Mississippi Department of Corrections or local enforcement.

The MDOC can be reached at 662-754-6611.