The Correctional Service of Canada and Northumberland O-P-P are investigating an assault that seriously injured a correctional officer at Warkworth Institution.

The Ontario Regional President of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, Rob Finucan, said the incident occurred last Thursday while the officer was conducting a security patrol in a living unit at the facility.

He was pulled into a cell after he noticed a prisoner believed to be destroying contraband, and he fought off an attack for over two minutes while a response was being mobilized.

The officer was able to escape, but was shoved back into the cell by another inmate, who was part of a large group outside encouraging the assault.

Finucan said the officer suffered facial injuries, and has been off work since the attack while he receives medical attention.