BUCKEYE, Ariz. — An Arizona prison staff member is facing serious injuries after an attack by an inmate.
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry confirms the assault happened on Sept. 3, 2024 at ASPC-Lewis in Buckeye.
An ADCRR spokesperson said over email that inmate Jacob Purdue was responsible for the attack and that the Lewis prison staff member "suffered impactful injuries as a result of the assault."
The spokesperson said a criminal investigation is underway and that Purdue was moved to maximum custody.
Carlos Garcia, executive director of the Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association, identified the staff member as a corrections officer. Garcia said the officer suffered injuries that could be permanent and blamed understaffing at the prison as part of the problem.
Prison records indicate Purdue has been in and out of prison since the 1990s for crimes like burglary, robbery and being part of a criminal street gang. His prison profile says Purdue received two disciplinary infractions for Assault on Staff (that involved Serious Injury) on Sept. 4 and was moved to Eyman prison from Lewis soon after the incident.
The full response from ADCRR Media Relations is below:
The ADCRR confirms that on September 3, 2024, a staff member at ASPC-Lewis was assaulted by inmate Jacob Purdue (ADCRR #113333) and suffered impactful injuries as a result of the assault.
A criminal investigation is currently underway and the Department will seek to hold any involved inmates accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The Department will not tolerate violence.
While the Department cannot speak to specific details of the assault as the investigation remains active, ADCRR can confirm that inmate Purdue was transferred to maximum custody housing immediately following the incident.
As a victim of crime, the Department will ensure this staff member is afforded all rights and resources to support their recovery.
Correctional officers work on the front lines of rehabilitation and public safety, and their work is essential to building a safer Arizona. We are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all, conducive to the needed rehabilitation for lasting public safety.