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Inmate escapes from Parchman

An inmate with a history of jail escapes has escaped from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.

Posted: Jul 5, 2019 7:49 AM
Updated: Jul 8, 2019 10:20 AM
Posted By: Craig Ford

JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - An inmate with a history of jail escapes has escaped from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.

Someone noticed after 3 a.m. Friday during an inmate count that Benny Ray Blansett was missing from Unit 30.

Blansett, 59, was last seen wearing a white shirt with the words “MDOC Convict” on the back as well as black and white striped pants. 

UPDATE: Benny Ray Blansett is in custody

He stands 5-feet-11-inches tall and weighs 159 pounds.

The inmate was serving a life sentence for a couple of forgeries, two jail escapes, a burglary and assaulting a police officer.

All but one conviction were in Marion County.  One jail escape conviction was in Sunflower County.

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CountyCasesDeaths
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CountyCasesDeaths
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Marion248953
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Henry156523
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Randolph142135
Washington139126
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