A natural gas leak occurred Friday morning at the Stillwater state prison, officials said.

The gas has been turned off, and a repair crew from Xcel Energy is onsite, a utility spokesman said.

The leak occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m. when contractors hit the line while replacing concrete near the prison's industry unit, said Department of Corrections spokeswoman Sarah Russell.

The line has been capped, leaving a portion of the prison without natural gas, she said.

No staff or inmates have fallen ill from the leaking gas, Russell added.

Inmates who were nearby were returned to their cell, and all prisoners are being kept in their cells for the time being, she said.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482