Francisco Starks, 44, was treated at a hospital in Mayfield after being rescued from the Mayfield Consumer Products building, troopers said in a news release.
More than 30 tornadoes were reported in at least six states overnight Friday into Saturday, including Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Mississippi. Officials fear the death toll could top 80.
After his release from the hospital, Starks allegedly walked away instead of reporting to continue his sentence, the news release said.
Starks was serving time for third-degree burglary, theft by unlawful taking of an automobile and receiving stolen property, according to the news release.
The work release program for low-security, low-level offenders had just started last week, Workman said.
Workman said that he was forced to evacuate the 83 inmates at the main jail to other facilities because the damage was so severe.
“(The damage is) structurally bad enough that I question it’ll ever be able to open again,” he said.
No inmates were injured when the tornado hit the main jail, Workman said.
“I’ve been in law enforcement and corrections since 1986 and I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.
Anyone with information on Starks’ whereabouts is asked to contact Kentucky State Police, Post 1, at 270-856-3721 or anonymously at 1-800-222-5555.
