Reports: UK prison chief injured in assault by inmate

LONDON – British media say a prison chief has been beaten by an inmate during an attack in the prison canteen. Police have confirmed they are investing an assault by an inmate on a staff member.

The BBC reported that prison chief Paul Cawkwell needed hospital treatment after the attack at HMP Wayland in eastern England. The Norfolk Constabulary confirmed that an inmate had assaulted a staff member at the prison on July 27. The prisoner has been transferred to another institution.

Wayland is a “category C” prison, housing less-serious offenders considered unlikely to try to escape.

The Prison Service said Friday it can’t comment on the incident while police are investigating. It said it would seek “the strongest possible punishment.”