STILLWATER, Minn. (WCCO) – An inmate attack Wednesday at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater, Minn., sent two people to the hospital, and hurt two others.
The Department of Corrections said a female guard was badly beaten in the face. She and a contract worker had to be taken to the hospital and have since been released.
It doesn’t appear Wednesday’s incident was a riot, or large-scale disturbance. It may have been just one inmate responsible.
And it’s not known if a weapon was used, or what the inmate was serving time for.
The state classifies Stillwater as a prison with a security level measuring four out of five – meaning it houses some of the toughest convicts in the state.
About 1,600 male prisoners reside there, for violent crimes such as homicide, rape and assault.
Back in 2011, WCCO reported on concerns at the Department of Corrections over how many guards it has at prisons.
Video from inside places such as Stillwater and Rush City showed vicious attacks against guards and inmates.
State leaders said budget cuts would lead to more violence because there just aren’t enough guards to handle so many prisoners.
WCCO checked and there are 2,142 prison guards in the state — and a total of 9,242 inmates.
