An Officer at the Rush City Correctional Facility was assaulted by an inmate Wednesday morning.
KSTP reports that the assault occurred around 7 a.m. at the correctional Officer’s desk in the living unit of the facility.
The Officer defended herself and the inmate was restrained by the other Officers within a matter of seconds.
Sarah Fitzgerald, Communications Director for the DOC commended the other Officers for response. Fitzgerald said, "The other officers’ professional response was essential to protecting their fellow officer and maintaining the safety of all individuals at the facility."
The corrections Officer was punched in the face and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
The unit where the assault occurred was put on lockdown. The inmate who assaulted the Officer was immediately put in restrictive housing.
This incident comes less than two months after Officer Joseph Gomm was killed in July in an attack by an inmate at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater.
The Department of Corrections takes this assault very seriously. Fitzgerald said, "Our highest priority at the Minnesota Department of Corrections is protecting the safety of our officers and all individuals in our facilities. An assault on a member of our staff is taken extremely seriously."
WCMP will update you as more information becomes available.
