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Central Texas Prison Guard Slashed Save Email Print
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(May 7, 2008)—A female corrections officer at the Gatesville Unit in Gatesville was recovering Wednesday after an inmate grabbed her from behind and slashed her with a sharp instrument.

The guard, who was assigned to the unit’s Sycamore Dormitory, received wounds to her throat, chin, forehead and forearm, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said.

She was taken to Coryell Memorial Hospital for treatment after the attack at around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday and was later released.

The dormitory remained on lockdown Wednesday as prison officials investigate.

The names of the guard and the inmate were not released.

The 28-year-old Gatesville unit houses about 1,900 female inmates

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Posted by: Anonymous on May 11, 2008 at 11:33 PM
to I Support CO's (former CO. thats what i mean but if you were a big man that would not happen. women need to be home washing dishes and having babies. let the men take care of the real jobs!!!!!
Posted by: CO Location: Gatesville on May 11, 2008 at 10:49 PM
God Bless you!!!! And u'r in our prayers for a healthy recovery!!!! I know for the general populus they will never understand the strength and courage it takes to work in any prison environment!!! But for ALL OF US it is because we just as you need a paycheck to survive!!! But most never realize that just like the police officers we sign on the dotted line to put our life on the line for anyone else (including the inmate) to protect and provide safety for those who have rapped others or killed thier mothers!!!! But RED TAPE dictates that we have to abide by policy and cannot do but the minimum to protect OURSELVES!!! Police Officers carry guns and can SHOT when justified.....we carry COP!!!! and can only spray when justified!!!! The inmates have already been covicted and deemed by a jury to spend time in jail!!!!!! HELLO there is something wrong with the legislature if we as CO's have more red tape than an inmate who has already committed a crime!!!!!!!!
Posted by: CO @ Gatesville on May 11, 2008 at 10:41 PM
I just want to start off by saying my upmost respect and admiration goes to the officer who was wanting to be back at work the following day after this terrible assault. I honestly don't think I myself would be able to do it so soon. However, I myself being a CO can honestly say that too many of us get too complacent with our surroundings and puts us in very dangerous situations. Comfortable as civilans would say..... Civilans get comfortable with thier neighbors.....or the clerk or bagger at thier favorite grocery store....thier mechanic.......etc. But that doesn't mean they won't hurt you in the middle of the night. In our current situation of WORK.....which alot of you civilans just type to do.....we as CO's have to constantly play (in our minds) the what if game and decide what we will do if we are in a dorm, cellblock or recreation yard if an inmate decides that assaulting or KILLING one of us is the answer will do. AND NO-ONE CAN SAY FOR SURE WHAT THEY WILL DO UNTIL IT HAPPENS!!
Posted by: I Support CO's (former CO) on May 9, 2008 at 02:03 AM
Thanks to all the Former and Current CO's who have came and commented on this. it is so true, noone will EVER know the daily struggles that happen within the gates, its another world. Oh to the IDIOT who said "so why is a woman doing a mans job?????? you put a man 6'6" 250lbs and pay him good this want happan as much." GROW UP: Women in prisons have every right as a man to be there, i know many great female officers, I WAS ONE, and got assulted by a low life scum who assulted his mother!what ever happened to equality for women? Guess there is none in your book
Posted by: fellow TDC officer Location: Gatesville on May 9, 2008 at 01:01 AM
To the officer who was hurt You are one of the few brave ones and you have all the respect from me for doing what you did. No one can say you did wrong. I heard your story from your fellow co workers at gatesville unit and everyone is proud of you and your actions. Just remember you are the best of the best and don't let NO ONE tell you different. For the public Inmates are the sorriest people i've ever known. Women offenders are the worst. Always trying to get money from some poor old man. Honestly my 1st grader behaves better than they do. My 3 year old has more respect for people than they do. The public has no clue. We aren't just babysitters, we are your safekeepers. Keeping you safe from the baby rapest, the murders, the theifs, and everything else that they are in there for. I come from a TDC family who has had family stabbed at Hughes I care nothing for offenders. To the offenders who did this i hope you burn and guess what some of us love our job and we aren't going anywere
Posted by: ginny Location: cove on May 8, 2008 at 09:30 PM
well i think if these low lifes break a rule while in prison give them the last needle. our CO's are doing a great job thank you & GOD BLESS we pulling for you don't ever forget that, don't any of you trust those scumb bags they are in prison for a reason they are criminals. NUFF said.
Posted by: ST Location: Neighboring Unit on May 8, 2008 at 08:55 PM
To the general populace: It is the Duty and Responsibility of an officer to make sure that each convicted felon is present and a living breathing body - every hour. We do this to make sure that Suzy Q who killed her mother hasn't escaped from the confines of prison and placed YOUR Mother at risk. This is done often with faulty radio's, poor lighting, and few employees. The ratio of officers to convicts are often 1/100 or more. It can be an extremely dangerous job, but someone has to do it. Police officers arrest these convicts and then it's left to us to have to deal with them - for years. So to the fellow citizens who are worried about poor spelling in the comments section- Try working 12 hours while being called everything but the child of God, by the very humans who have committed heinous acts while protecting THEM and keeping them safe from eachother and YOU. I pray that the CO this happened to stays with us and that you are ok. God Bless you!
Posted by: FELLOW OFFICER Location: GATESVILLE UNIT on May 8, 2008 at 05:01 PM
our prayers are with this officer, and we all wish you the best in your recovery. unless you have worked in a remote stalite location at 12:30 at night surrounded by 50 convicted felones then you really can't fully understand the dangers that many officers face on a daily basis. it surely isn't the job for everyone, but having worked in this under staffed system for over ten years now, i'd just like to add, if you believe you can talk the talk and walk the walk please come join us.
Posted by: AKA Location: Txeas on May 8, 2008 at 01:58 PM
To Nicole Clegg in Iraq. I would like to thank you for a job well done. For your information, I am not the only one who has commented on the way people write, and if you will go back and read my comments, I expressed my feelings about this story!
Posted by: it happened to me Location: Gatesville on May 8, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Glad to hear the boss is doing good, it happened to me last year, and the major and others in administration new it was going to happen weeks before..the inmate told them--and even after he threw boots at an officer, he was stilled housed in safe keeping. Check out the unit at Livingston...its on lockdown due to dirty officers!
Posted by: anon Location: gatesville on May 8, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Iam a medical person for tdcj/utmb...I can tell you these officers are putting their lives on the line everyday...these offenders have more rights than john q public..they get 3 hots and cot and don't work if they don't want too..and get free medical..they are not treated like prisoners...if the officer says or does anything,they get grieved and moved or fired...I appreciate our officers and depend on them to keep me safe every day..I truley hope the officer is ok...and the offender that did this if caught..Our officers are under payed and under staffed..and they are alone with 60 plus offenders daily...I hear officers get cussed and threatened daily..and they can't say or do much due to being out numbered....to sum it up,the officers do not get the pay .credit and added protection they deserve...my hats off to you all.
Posted by: 26 yrs and counting Location: Gatesville on May 8, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Although long, I feel important enough to continue. I often wonder if some of the new hires I've met are gang affiliated. Their talk, their walk and their interaction with other offenders of a like race makes me wonder at times who that employee is really working for. Their ability to communicate and interact better than with their fellow officers leaves me to wonder...if something went down...who's side will they be on? If you are working TDCJ for ulterior motives, please move on, before you get one of us killed! Enough said of that subject. It has been on my mind for a number of years. My heartfelt prayers and condolences to my fellow officer. You were doing your job and don't let anyone tell you any different. I absolutely have NO clue how it happened...and neither does 99% of the others that comment. Keep your chin up and God Bless the TDCJ family!!!
Posted by: 26 yr vetern and counting Location: Gatesville on May 8, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Correctional work is not for everyone. The officers that stick it out do so for a variety of reasons...anything ranging from retirement, job security, local employment, etc. I can assure you if one questions a long time veteran of TDCJ, first and foremost reason for staying is if we don't ensure the confinement of the offender ...WHO WILL?? It is with nervousness that I view some of the recruits entering pre-service classes. In the last five years, I found myself picking out officers who wouldn't last one year. I do not mean to generalize or stereotype all new hires, however when observing some of them in action my nervousness intensifies. Not that they are considered 'new boots' and 'inexperienced', but their ulterior motive for gaining employment with TDCJ is questioned. Some have no respect for the trainers that attempt to give them the knowledge needed to survive within the walls of the facility. They have no respect for their fellow classmates.
Posted by: lets be real Location: killeen on May 8, 2008 at 10:24 AM
My heart goes out to that officer and her family. Yes every one say that she is doing fine its easy for them to say because some have not been in this situation or may have not had anything done to them but that lady is scarred for life.And she may never return to TDCJ and thats another officer gone and the TDCJ staff continues to fall due to less pay,the environment,and fellow co-workers putting others down.Especially the officers that have been in the system for some years.And they down talk the new boots that come in and try to be that outstanding officer. But you never know what's going to happen behind those locked doors especially at the Gatesville Unit because,when you go in to do your count or security check you have to lock the door behind you and its no one their to give you that security feeling like you have at Lane Murray or Woodman State Jail where u have more than one officer at all times in a building.But TDCJ if you dont wake up your going to be sorry Huntsville TX.
Posted by: Nicole Clegg Location: Iraq on May 8, 2008 at 09:55 AM
I am a former Correctional officer , To the CO that was assaulted I pray that all goes well , as far as the person that made the comment about punctuation who are you? At least they had it in their heart to make a comment and show concern these blogs are not for any one to make correct someones spelling .It is to be used for comments about the articles. How about you go to an Ethics and Morales class.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 8, 2008 at 09:45 AM
so these inmates are the worst of the worst.. they can work anyone,, there are men (soldiers, good looking officers) come on the weekends to see the inmates and they are giving inmates money on there books and then they wait to be realease and the inmate will get on the bus and go home to there family and leave that kind hearted young man behind cause all he was was a money pit,. and what is sad these inmates marry each other on a daily basis and you should see it they make up married papers and divorce papers as well but yet they still get these men to come and give money.. they have commited murder but they tell the men that they got caught up with drugs with a exboyfriend and it was not there fault and they are left with no money no family and they just need a good friend. they promise these men love and honesty and life together.. and we see it on a daily basis the man is left standing at the gate while the inmate get on a bus to killeen to board another bus to go home... stupid
Posted by: Anonymous on May 8, 2008 at 09:40 AM
ys right you don't know these women behind the bars. you get a man that is just average and you wqill have a inmate hit on him and give him an ego boost and with in day s he will be bringing in items for her and her friends or having sex with them and looking at a mans prison it would be the same, you don't understand these inmates have 24/7 to get what they want and they do they just have to work the right CO to get it and they can tell if you are weak and easy... you can't imagine how many CO's have been escorted off the units for having sex with inmates or inproper contact. you have to be fair firm and consistant with an inmate or they can get what they want from you so being a man 6'6 250 means nothing exept a man in a uniform insead of a women.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 8, 2008 at 09:02 AM
so why is a woman doing a mans job?????? you put a man 6'6" 250lbs and pay him good this want happan as much.
Posted by: Lauren Location: Coolidge on May 8, 2008 at 09:01 AM
That`s terrible at least she was not injured too bad.
Posted by: Former Officer Location: Gatesville on May 8, 2008 at 08:11 AM
My Heart goes out to the officer. I worked for the prison system for 20 . The citzens of the world do not have any idea how hard it is to work in a prison . Like most have said you are supervising 60 offenders to one officer. The Guard might have a radio to call for assistance .I Hope and pray TDC really looks at this sad situation hard! TDC has been lucky in the past because it could have happen more the way the dorms are set up and offender to officer ratio. To All TDC officers Be careful and work as a team while at work .Stand tall you have a very hard job. Thank you for all you do.
Posted by: Former CO Location: Gatesville on May 8, 2008 at 02:44 AM
These kinds of attacks on officers happen everyday and the public very seldom hears about them. Officers put their lives on the line everytime they walk through those gates. And, when you are in a dorm with anywhere from 50 to 111 offenders and you are by yourself, there is not much you can do to protect yourself when they decide to attack. Yea, officers carry COP, big deal, some of those offenders would eat that stuff and ask for more, it don't affect them. Yea, when an offender attacks, they go to seg, big deal, they lay around and don't have to work or do anything, they get their food handed to them. The State needs to step up and do more to protect their officers. DT is a joke. Most offender attacks come from behind when the officer is busy dealing with another offender. I just hope this officer will be ok and will have no ill effects from what happend to her.
Posted by: Fellow TDCJ Location: Gatesville on May 8, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Thank God that she is "physically" going to be alright. Prayers go out for her and her family. I am surprised that this was on the news, due to the fact that we see this in our career so often. But, I am glad that it was on the news for the reason that maybe it will make the public aware that we do the job that most of them would never do. We are under staffed, under paid, and under appreciated. Maybe this will get the public to see this, and help support us in pay raises, and give us the restect that we deserve. This officer has now been scarred for life, on the "inside". How many of you can truly appreciate that? It's no different than that soldier that was injured in Iraq, the police officer, or a fire fighter... Just something to think about. Keep ALL of our service members in your prayers....
Posted by: current officer Location: Cove on May 7, 2008 at 11:21 PM
This is a tragic thing to happen to a fellow officer. I wish her a speedy recovery. I also hope that those out there who think that the women that we have behind bars are NOT as non-violent as you think. they dont need all the bleeding hearts behind them. The ones who have chosen to protect you and you family and friends working as a correctional officer deserve the upmost respect and appretiation fron the public. Too many times we are looked at as the bad ones for locking up these hidious women who dont care about you or anyone else and keeping them there. The next time you see an officer in there uniform, go to them and tell them that you appreciate them for keeping you and yours safe!!
Posted by: citizen Location: Gatesville on May 7, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Everyone who is commenting on the error made on the CO's part had better take a look at what they do in their own everyday life. Do not forget this person was once NOT an inmate but a citizen. They are there because they were caught doing something wrong. There are thousands more out on our streets today. If it were not for the CO's we have now the thousands in our town could be citizens not inmates. In you day tomorrow you should thank the CO's you meet. They do a job none of us want to do to keep us from danger of these inmates being FRRE to do as they please in our town. THANK YOU ALL TDCJ EMPLOYEES FOR THE JOB YOU DO.
Posted by: Former Correctional Officer on May 7, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Well i use to be a corrections officer and was assulted resulting in a lifetime of injury that will never get better. The state gave me this small little severence pay then got rid of me because i was on medical leave for to long. The state does not protect their CO's but gives all protection to the inmates. I hope this officer recovers better than i did and I hope she gets right back in there and continues that hard job. If someone thinks its easy, go apply and work there, its harder than you think!!! I hope they figure out all that happened and the inmate that did it is prosecuted to the fullest! God bless the CO's in our prison system, if they werent there, we would have these convicts on our streets
Posted by: TX MOM Location: Central TX on May 7, 2008 at 05:21 PM
These workers are underpaid and over worked. I hope her wounds heal and thank GOD it wasn't any worse. Prison guards have a tough job and they do NOT get enough credit for what they do.
Posted by: afraid too Location: Gatesville on May 7, 2008 at 05:00 PM
A female guard was slashed up at the Hughes Unit about a year ago...the inmate was on video, and TDCJ shows the attack in training classes...and the administration new he was going to do this and did not isolate him or warn anybody..luckily she survived
Posted by: AKA Location: Texas on May 7, 2008 at 04:12 PM
I, too, am glad she is okay. Luck was on her side! There is one thing that I would like to say, people, PLEASE learn to spell, use punctuation, and capitalization. Looks like abunch of preschoolers.
Posted by: Officers R appreciated Location: Copperas Cove on May 7, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I've been a CO for over 14 years and this kind of thing happens often on the bigger units, not the little ones, OH! so people think. I have heard people say, aint nothing going to happen here on the little unit, so if you are working a small unit WAKE up. I feel very bad for the officer and my prayers go out to you, you are brave, keep up the good work. This is also sad it happens in our week of recognition, officer's appreciation. The state needs to give ALL the officers a pay raise, weed thru the tdc trash employees, dont look shocked we have trash, and reorganize its priorities, our safety or the inmates. It is easy for people to comment who don't do our job everyday, and say what we need and what we don't.. this could of been another fallen officer, i am so glad she is still with us. Yes stop thinking these inmates are your friends, they are NOT. About the seg beat down, well we know things happen in seg, and we should always remain professional. I pray the rest of you remain safe.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 7, 2008 at 02:09 PM
these inmates have 24 hours a day 7 days a week to think of things to do and a lot with nothing to lose ( already serving long sentences ).....our prayers to our injured colleague
Posted by: susiebw Location: kempner on May 7, 2008 at 02:03 PM
That's one they ought to keep till she's too old to walk.
Posted by: A good friend Location: Central Texas on May 7, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Our hearts are with you...We love you...
Posted by: someone Location: Waco on May 7, 2008 at 01:26 PM
That poor woman is lucky to be alive. But it's a risk that is taken when working with these dangerous crimminals. Hats of to her.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 7, 2008 at 01:24 PM
i realy dont feel that with this officer it was complacient nor did she feel that the offenders were her friend. this type of thing can happen even to those who are always "on guard", like has been said in most cases the inmates out number the guards 60 to 1. so until the odds are better for guards this sort of thing will happen. and yes an inmate will would do that even if she's/he's locked up. if they arent afraid to break the rules out in the world then why would you expect them to follow them in prison? some offenders never learn, i've seent them come and go...and come back...and finnally we don't beat down n seg...once the offender is in restraints or locked up there is no need to use force to make the offender comply....but yeah i know what your talking about. we all feel the same way when its one of us....cause it could have been just as easly you or me or anyone...but we must remember we are a proffessional team and will act in a proffessional mannor.
Posted by: former Location: correctional officer on May 7, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I am really suprised that they have put this one the news!! This kind if thing happens all the time and the offender gets Seg times and we get a bandaid. I am sorry that is one of the reasons I quit and will never go back, the public has no idea what goes on behind those gates. I have personally worked on the Sycamore Unit and hope the officer is doing okay but maybe the public will wake up to what the bright lights are that surround Gatesville and how deadly one person in white can be!! Oh and why wouldn't they do it again the ARE already in there and not happy
Posted by: A Daughter.... on May 7, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Thank God for the officer! As well as all the other officers who came to help her after she was hurt. She was doing her job, and was fully aware of her job and what things could happen in/on her job. She is a very good officer, as well as the other job titles that she has outside of work, mother, grandmother, friend, and wife. My thoughts are with her, and her family.
Posted by: somewhere Location: Teague on May 7, 2008 at 12:04 PM
I work at a prison and I work with officers that think these inmates are their friends, they are putting them and fellow coworkers in danger. you just cant trust an inmate it can happen.
Posted by: whatever Location: waco on May 7, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I can not believe that an inmate would do that,I mean you are already there for bad behavior and then you still have not learned any better. i think the prisoner should rot there.I hope the guard is doing alright.
Posted by: FORMER CORRECTIONAL OFFICER on May 7, 2008 at 11:09 AM
the general public does not know what the correctional officers go through on a normal day, I had hot coffee thrown at me, that god i was not badly burnt but i did file charges against the inmate and she is now serving 5 years of assult on a public servant. the state does help prosicute but it took 3 years to do it.. i do hope that this officer will come out well, you don't realize what an inmate will do until it is too late. the officer may have become complacient in her job duties but there is no excuess for her to get hurt.. people who don't work there don't realize that it is 1 officer to an average of 30 inmates and in this dorm it has 2 side so that is 60 inmates to the 1 officer.. thank god she is not hurt anymore than she is it is a unsafe place to be at by yourself. the state needs to hire more officers and give better pay for the hazard working conditions that we endure each day.. hope the inmate gets a good beat down in seg. and to the officer we hope to see you come back.
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