MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- The Alabama Department of Corrections has transferred 257 inmates from its Mobile Community Based Facility to other prisons because of Gov. Robert Bentley's mandatory evacuation order for certain parts of Mobile County because of Isaac.

Corrections Commissioner Kim Thomas said 128 of the minimum security prisoners were transferred Monday to Easterling Correctional Facility in Barbour County. He said 129 were sent to Bullock Correctional Facility in Bullock County.

Thomas said corrections officials felt the evacuation was "prudent and cautionary" considering Isaac's current tracking and the potential for storm surge.

Thomas said the transferred inmates would remain at Easterling and Bullock until the storm has moved on and it's safe to transfer them back to Mobile County. State troopers provided escorts for the prisoners during the move.