Guard attacked at Dartmouth jail

Police are investigating an assault on a guard at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside.

Justice officials say a guard sustained minor injuries in an altercation with a prisoner at the jail Friday afternoon.

Joan Jessome, a spokesperson for the union that represents jail staff, said the inmate, who was pretending to be injured, lured the guard into a cell. When the guard opened the door, the inmate punched him in the face several times.

Jessome said the guard drove himself to hospital for treatment, but justice officials would not confirm that or release details about the extent of the man's injuries.

The Justice Department said no weapons were involved in the incident.

This is the fourth case of assault at the jail in the past month.

In June, a dozen out-of-control prisoners left the jail with smashed windows, broken sprinklers and damaged recreation equipment.

A guard was punched earlier in August while escorting a prisoner. The next afternoon, another guard was stabbed in the abdomen with a pen while inspecting a cell.

The following week, an inmate tried to headbutt a guard.

The Justice Department ruled later in August that all guards must wear bulletproof vests in situations where they may have to deal with an inmate.

Police are investigating Friday's attack. The Justice Department said it is also conducting an internal review.