Inmates Take 2 Arizona Prison Guards Hostage

BUCKEYE, Ariz. —  Two state prison guards were taken hostage by inmates Sunday, and negotiators were called in to try to defuse the situation.

One inmate at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis attacked a guard shortly after 5 a.m., then met up with another inmate in the prison yard and the two gained access to the officers’ tower, said Jim Robideau, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Corrections.

A male correctional officer taken hostage was injured, said Cam Hunter, a department spokeswoman. Officials did not release details but said the other hostage, a female correctional officer, was not believed to be hurt. Two other officers and a staff member were injured in a scuffle.

Negotiation teams and officers from the Department of Corrections, the Department of Public Safety and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office were at the prison west of Phoenix.