FORT MADISON– Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections, Monday, said a correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary at approximately 2:42 p.m., Monday. The officer was working at their post in a living unit when an inmate, unprovoked, approached the officer and began striking them several times in the face with closed-fists.  Additional staff arrived quickly to take control of the aggressive inmate.

The officer was taken by department vehicle to the local hospital to be seen for injuries to the face, and has since been released. The inmate involved in the assault was found to have not suffered any injuries.  The incident remains under investigation.