Maine ? Two hostages held by a knife-wielding prisoner were released Monday night without serious injury and the hostage taker was back in custody following an hours-long drama at the Maine State Prison, home to the state’s most dangerous offenders, officials said.

Few details were immediately available about how the situation ended. “I’m thankful that the crisis has ended without loss of life,” Gov. John Baldacci said Monday night.

Associate Corrections Department Commissioner Denise Lord identified the hostage-taker as Michael Chasse, who was convicted of breaking into the home of the brother of then-Defense Secretary Bill Cohen in 1997. Chasse later escaped during his trial by throwing detergent in the eyes of deputies.

The hostage-taking incident unfolded at 2:30 p.m. Monday inside the state’s largest prison and it dragged on before it was resolved before 10 p.m. The two hostages were described by corrections officials as an inmate and a staff member at the prison.