A prison officer is being treated in hospital after being attacked at Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim.
The woman, who is understood to be one of the newer officers, was taken to hospital after the incident involving a male inmate on Monday.
The prison officer is reported to have suffered a serious neck wound and was taken to the Ulster hospital.
Police have said her condition is not thought to be life-threatening.
It’s understood the woman was attacked with a weapon “made from a razor”.
The incident has been referred to the PSNI.
Adrian Smith from the Prison Officers Association (POA) told the Belfast Telegraph: “The woman has a three-inch gash below her left ear on the neck, it’s a pretty deep wound.
“Anybody knows the difficult and dangerous job that prison officers do and it’s getting more and more dangerous with cuts to prison service budget and staffing levels.
“Unfortunately things like this will happen more often.”
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “A prison officer has suffered a serious injury following an assault by a prisoner in Maghaberry this afternoon. The Prison Service utterly condemns this attack and has referred the incident to the PSNI.”
Chief Inspector Jonathan Wilson said: “At approximately 5:47 pm this evening police received reports of an incident during which a female prison officer was assaulted.
“The prison officer was taken to hospital where her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Female prison officer attacked at Maghaberry
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