An inmate at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking died of apparent natural causes.
A news release from the institution said 56-year-old John Thompson was pronounced dead at Texas County Memorial Hospital just before 8:30 p.m. Sunday. He was serving a 20-year sentence for two counts of forcible sodomy from Pulaski County.
He was first registered in the Missouri Department of Corrections on Sept. 15, 2004.
Prison officials say that foul play was not suspected in his death, however, an autopsy will be performed.