WARREN (AP) – Visits to Maine State Prison were halted after state troopers arrested a woman armed with a loaded weapon before she entered the prison to meet an inmate in the visiting area, authorities said Wednesday.

“We received information on a potentially deadly threat to the safety of employees, prisoners and visitors,” state Corrections Commissioner Martin Magnusson said Wednesday. “We believe we stopped an escape attempt.”

Susan Watland, 46, of Jackson, was arrested Tuesday on charges of aiding an escape and trafficking in prison contraband.

She was being held in the Knox County Jail pending an appearance today in Rockland District Court.

State troopers dressed in camouflage gear and carrying assault rifles converged on the maximum security prison during the incident, and Magnusson said he had briefed Gov. John Baldacci in advance of the operation.

“The governor approved our plan for all contingencies. I have no doubt that we saved lives,” he said.

in a statement.