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Northern California State Prison Guard Hospitalized Following Inmate Attack

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A correctional officer is hospitalized in fair condition after he was slashed in the head and neck with an inmate-made weapon at a Northern California state prison.

Lt. Bryan Donahoo at the California State Prison in Sacramento says a maximum-security inmate repeatedly slashed the 40-year-old officer about 8 a.m. Monday using a piece of broken glass from a television.

Donahoo says the 15-year veteran officer needs surgery to repair a tendon in his arm and cosmetic surgery for his ear. He was also cut several times on the neck.

Inmate Alberto Cortez is being held in the attack. The 22-year-old is serving a life sentence for attempted first-degree murder.

Donahoo says it is unclear what triggered the assault at the prison, which is 25 miles east of the state capital.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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