HONOLULU (AP) — Guards at a Hawaii correctional center have been hospitalized after being attacked by a group of inmates who were being taken to receive their medication.
Three guards at the Oahu Community Correctional Center suffered facial and head injuries Saturday night after being attacked by about 18 inmates, Hawaii News Now reported (http://bit.ly/2yRWQ8b ). The area where the attack occurred was immediately placed on lock down.
Correctional center Director Nolan Espinda said he is relieved the situation ended without a major incident. The guards are doing OK, he said.
“We never want to see these types of things happen to our employees, but everyone who works in a prison knows that dangerous situations can happen at any time,” Espinda said. “That’s why all staff go through extensive training so they are prepared to react immediately and stabilize the situation. They followed through with their training and I commend them for a job well done.”
Officers were initially able to identify seven of the inmates involved in the attack.
Criminal and internal investigations are under way.
The correctional center is designed to house 629 inmates, but the facility holds upward of 1,100 inmates, Hawaii New Now reported.