INDIANAPOLIS -- A lockdown at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility has created a shortage of temporary license plates across the state.

Inmates at the facility near Terre Haute were on lockdown for five days until Jan. 18 as guards searched for contraband, bringing paper license plate printing to a standstill, 6News' Rafael Sanchez reported.

"In this instance, when the facility goes in lockdown, not a lot gets done," said Department of Correction spokesman Doug Garrison. "(The workforce is) dependable, and usually the best offenders work for PEN Products," the division that oversees license plate production.

Nabil Rezkalla, who operates Lynn's Auto Sales on 2102 Lafayette Road, said his business hasn't been able to sell a vehicle since Friday because they're out of temporary plates, even though he placed an order on Jan. 8.

"I don't know who's responsible, I just hope problem gets fixed," he said. "We've been turning people away who wanted to buy cars."

Angela Cottrell said she was hoping to use part of her tax refund check to by a 1999 Grand Cherokee from Lynn's Auto Sales, but the shortage put her plans on hold.

"Why should I put money down on something I can't drive home? I don't like that," she said.

"I wasted gas, time coming up and coming back," said Rosemarie Weekes, who was also turned away. "It's an inconvenience."

DOC delivered 25,000 backordered paper plates on Monday, and Secretary of State spokesman Jim Gavin said they hope to get the plates to 101 dealers statewide by Thursday.

He said PEN Products will now keep a stockpile of 56,000 paper plates to prevent any future shortages.

"We are working to expedite the processing of the orders," Gavin said in an e-mail. "We have worked with our supplier to ensure a process is in place to alleviate future supply delays for Indiana's licensed auto dealers."

While the state's paper plates are produced at Wabash Valley, inmates at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City produce the metal ones placed on cars.