An urgent search is underway after four Alabama inmates escaped from a correctional facility in the central part of the state early Saturday, according to authorities. The breakout has triggered a coordinated law enforcement response as officials work to track down the men and reassure local residents.

The Escape

The four inmates fled from the Perry County Correctional PREP Center in Uniontown, Alabama, the Perry County Sheriff’s Office reported. Law enforcement agencies were notified of the escape at roughly 1 a.m. local time on Saturday.

As of now, officials have not released the specific details or circumstances surrounding how the men managed to get out of the facility. That part of the story remains under investigation, leaving open questions about exactly how the breakout occurred.

Who the Authorities Are Searching For

The sheriff’s office identified the four men being sought as:

• Marquavious Billingsley
• Jaden Christopher Maxwell
• Johnny Dave Harris Bush Jr.
• Kevin Gunn

All four originate from Dallas County, Alabama. They were being housed at the PREP center under an arrangement with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department.

Understanding the PREP Center

The facility’s name reflects a particular approach to incarceration. PREP stands for the Parole and Probation Reentry Education and Employment Program Center, signaling that the center is oriented toward preparing inmates for reentry into society through education and employment programming.

That focus on rehabilitation, however, sits alongside the serious nature of the charges some of these men were facing.

The Charges Involved

According to the sheriff’s office, the escaped inmates were being held on a range of charges, some of them severe. Those charges include:

• Murder
• First-degree robbery
• Breaking and entering vehicles
• First-degree escape
• First-degree assault
• Promoting prison contraband

The mix of violent and non-violent offenses underscores why authorities are treating the search with urgency and caution.

A Warning to the Public

Officials have issued clear guidance to anyone who might come across the men. Residents with information about their whereabouts are urged to call 911 immediately. Just as importantly, the public has been warned not to approach or attempt to apprehend the escapees on their own.

That instruction reflects standard safety practice in situations involving individuals held on serious charges, where any direct confrontation could pose a danger.

Officials Respond

Perry County Sheriff Roy Fikes emphasized that protecting the community is the central concern as the search continues. In a news release, he stated that the safety of Perry County residents is the top priority.

Fikes added that deputies, along with assisting agencies, are actively working to locate and capture the escapees. An investigation into the circumstances of the escape is also currently underway, suggesting authorities are examining both how the men got out and where they may have gone.

The Bigger Picture

The escape of four Alabama inmates from the Perry County facility has placed the surrounding community on alert and mobilized multiple law enforcement agencies. With charges ranging from murder to lesser offenses, the search carries real stakes for public safety.

For now, the priority remains finding the four men and ensuring that residents stay safe. Authorities are leaning on the public’s help while cautioning against any direct involvement, and the investigation into how the breakout happened is likely to yield more answers in the days ahead. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact 911 without delay.