An inmate stabbed two correctional officers at the Indiana State Prison, and one was injured so severely he had to be airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital, authorities said.
Indiana State Police and Indiana Department of Corrections officials are investigating the incident, which took place in a general population cell house at about 7:45 p.m. Thursday. The maximum security prison has been on lockdown since then, public information officer Pam James said.
Both correctional officers were taken to Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City. One was treated and released, and returned to work later that night. The other was airlifted to Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis, which is a Level 1 trauma center for gunshot and stab wounds. That officer has since been released.
James declined to release the names of the correctional officers, or comment on their injuries.
Their alleged attacker has been identified as Terrance Swann, 34, who was sentenced to 130 years in prison for his role in a double murder during a 1999 Indianapolis home invasion. Swann, from Marion County, is currently serving time on several convictions, including murder.
He has also been convicted of voluntary manslaughter, robbery, battery, auto theft and having a firearm without a license within a mile of school property.
Swann will not be eligible for release until 2066, James said.
He was moved out of the Michigan City facility to another state prison (Westville) after the stabbing, James said. Swann has been placed in disciplinary segregation.
The LaPorte County Prosecutor's Office will decide what, if any, charges to file against Swann.
"It's tragic that any incident would happen," James said. "But it's great to know that both officers have been released. Our thoughts and prayers are with them."
The double-stabbing was the first assault on a correctional officer at the state prison in Michigan City in years, James said.
"There's been an outpouring of sympathy from fellow officers," she said. "It's sad when it does happen, but we're all correctional professionals who know the risks, and we will move forward."
Since July 2000 