Staff officer assaulted by inmate at Clarinda Correctional Facility

Officials in the state Department of Correction say a correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate at the Clarinda Correctional Facility at about 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The correctional officer - along with another officer who was present - was attempting to 'gain compliance” from an inmate that was failing to follow directives when the inmate unexpectedly

kicked toward the officer, according to a statement from the corrections agency. The officer deployed OC spray (pepper spray) toward the inmate at the time, but the inmate was able to strike

the officer in the face with a closed fist, state officials said.

After the officer delivered another application of OC spray, the inmate wrestled the officer to the ground where the officer then used a restraining technique to gain control of the inmate until additional officers responded to assist, according to the department's statement. The correctional officer, who was treated by the Clarinda facility's health services, sustained scratches and bruises from the incident, but stayed on duty and completed his shift.

The incident remains under investigation.