Danville prison guard assaulted by inmate

SPRINGFIELD — A prison inmate who assaulted a Danville Correctional Center guard was one of about 100 inmates housed temporarily in the penitentiary’s gymnasium.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees says the inmate was there because of crowding. The union says the inmate attacked a female correctional officer Thursday. The inmate punched her and the attack was interrupted by another inmate responding to the guard’s screams.

Illinois Department of Corrections spokesman Tom Shaer described the incident as an assault. He says the agency is investigating.

Danville is one of several prisons housing inmates in gymnasiums following the closure of the Dwight prison. AFSCME says prisons are crowded.

Shaer says the inmate had been in the gym but had not presented any problems while at Danville.