Two correctional officers are recovering from injuries after being assaulted by inmates. Both attacks were reported by the Iowa Department of Corrections today, but occurred Sunday afternoon at the facility in Oakdale. DOC spokesperson Fred Scaletta says the first assault involved 22-year-old Earl Griffin, who is serving a 55 year sentence for kidnapping and robbery in Polk County.
The correctional officer was punched several times. Scaletta says his injuries are serious, but not life threatening. “The injuries were pretty severe,” Scaletta said. “He had multiple fractions to his mouth, which is going to require some ongoing dental attention, and there was some blackening around both of the eyes…they were both swelled up.”
Griffin has been transferred to the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. The second assault occurred a short time later and involved 18-year-old Damion Seats, who is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and burglary in Cerro Gordo County. Scaletta says Seats punched another correctional officer, who was not seriously injured.
The cases are being investigated by the Coralville Police Department and will eventually be referred to the Johnson County Attorney’s office. “I’m not sure what the charges will be, however it’s certainly our position that they be as high or serious as they can be,” Scaletta said.
Seats was convicted of killing Isidora Erreguin, who was shot to death in his Mason City home in August 2008. The names of the correctional officers are not being released.