4 Correctional Officers Reportedly Injured in Inmate Attack at Donovan State Prison

SAN DIEGO, CA — An inmate attack on correctional officers at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in Otay Mesa left four officers hospitalized, officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Thursday.

The attack by an inmate who has previously served time for assaulting correctional officers occurred at 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to CDCR Lt. Philip Bracamonte, when inmate Charles Morgan, 33, allegedly spit on a correctional officer and struck him in the face.

"Inmate Morgan then attacked a responding officer by striking her in the face and knocking her to the ground where she hit the back of her head," Bracamonte said. "Morgan struck two more officers who responded to the incident by hitting them with his fists and elbows."

Of the four wounded officers, three suffered minor injuries and were treated at a hospital outside the prison. But one officer's injuries were more severe, Bracamonte said. She suffered a concussion and was treated for a head injury. She has since been released from the hospital and is home with her family, recovering, he said.

The names of the injured officers were not disclosed.

Morgan, who was subdued by officers by pepper spray and physical force, was treated by medical staff at the prison and last night was admitted to a hospital in the community, according to Bracamonte. The extent of his injuries were unclear.

Morgan has been incarcerated at the state prison in southern San Diego since Jan. 7, 2013, serving a six-year sentence for a conviction in San Diego County for assault with a deadly weapon. In 2001, he served a two-year sentence from San Luis Obispo County for battery on a peace officer. In 2004, while still in custody, Morgan received a two-year sentence from San Diego County for battery on a non-prisoner. And in 2005, he battered a correctional officer and received a three-year sentence from San Diego County for battery on a non-prisoner inflicting great bodily injury, according to Bracamonte.

Wednesday's alleged attack remains under investigation.

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