Wasco, CA… A correctional officer is recovering from injuries sustained during an attack by an inmate at Wasco State Prison (WSP).

At 4:48 p.m. Nov. 23, as the correctional officer was preparing to issue the evening meal, inmate Dustin McDonald, 25, attacked the officer, punching him and stabbing him in the face with an inmate-manufactured weapon. The officer sustained four puncture wounds to his face and one to his left arm. During the scuffle, the officer’s baton fell to the floor and McDonald picked it up, swinging it at the officer. The officer was able to retrieve his baton and defend himself. McDonald sustained two lacerations as a result.

The officer was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and released. He is now recovering at home. Inmate McDonald was also transported to a local hospital for treatment of two lacerations, and has been transferred to another institution.

McDonald was received by CDCR on Oct. 25, 2016, from Orange County to serve a life sentence for first-degree murder, and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

The primary mission of Wasco State Prison is to provide short-term housing necessary to process, classify and evaluate new inmates physically and mentally, to determine their security level, program requirements, and appropriate institutional placement. A 400-bed medium custody facility houses general population inmates to help support and maintain the reception center. A minimum custody facility provides institutional maintenance and landscaping services.