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CO taken hostage, beaten at SC prison

Officials say the incident occurred inside the prison’s housing unit

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The ordeal lasted about five hours.

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By C1 Staff

PELZER, S.C. — A correctional officer was taken hostage and beaten by an inmate Monday afternoon at Perry Correctional Institution.

The five-hour ordeal began around noon and lasted until law enforcement officials regained control of the dorm.

Director of South Carolina Department of Corrections Bryan Stirling told GreenvilleOnline that the officer’s injuries were not life-threatening.

Authorities said the public was never at risk and the situation was contained within the dorm.

Stirling told the publication that the State Law Enforcement Division aided in diffusing the situation and regaining control of the dorm.

“I would like to thank local law enforcement. I’d like to thank our partners at SLED. I would like to thank local EMS for being here, and I’d like to thank the dedicated men and women at the South Carolina Department of Corrections for showing up and making sure the public was safe in this incident,” Stirling said.

During a quick briefing outside the prison, Stirling told reporters that this type of event is rare, according to the South Carolina Radio Network.

Perry Correctional Institution is a level three prison, housing inmates who are serving long sentences for violent crimes and inmates with behavioral problems.

“However, as we know, correctional facilities do pose certain risks. But we’re trained for those risks,” Stirling said.

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