Inmates Take 2 Arizona Prison Guards Hostage

Two state prison guards were taken hostage by inmates Sunday, and negotiators were called in to try to defuse the situation.

One inmate at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis attacked a guard shortly after 5 a.m., then met up with another inmate in the prison yard and the two gained access to the officers’ tower, said Jim Robideau, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Corrections.

A male correctional officer taken hostage was injured, said Cam Hunter, a department spokeswoman. Officials did not release details but said the other hostage, a female correctional officer, was not believed to be hurt. Two other officers and a staff member were injured in a scuffle.

Negotiation teams and officers from the Department of Corrections, the Department of Public Safety and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office were at the prison west of Phoenix.