A correctional officer at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility was assaulted by an inmate on Sunday afternoon, according to the Iowa Department of Corrections.

The reported assault happened at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday, when the correctional officer, whose name has not been released, was giving directives to an inmate when “the inmate began to aggressively approach the officer,” the DOC said. The inmate, who also has not been identified by authorities, pushed the officer backwards and then the officer used pepper spray to subdue the inmate.

At that time, the inmate began striking the officer with closed fists and both fell to the ground. Other officers arrived at the scene to subdue and restrain the “aggressive inmate,” the Department of Corrections said.

The inmate was taken by ambulance to UnityPoint – Trinity Regional Medical Center to be evaluated. He was later returned to the prison with no major injuries.

The staff member was taken to the hospital in a state vehicle and had several bruises and soreness, but no major injuries.

The incident is under investigation by the Department of Corrections, and very few details are available to the public at this time due to Iowa privacy laws, said Cord Overton, with the Iowa DOC.

“When a criminal assault occurs, the institution will go through the investigation process and then if a crime took place, they’ll work with local authorities to press criminal charges,” Overton said.

At this time, while the incident is under investigation, the DOC is unable to comment on what specific penalties the inmate may face, Overton said.

“But whenever an assault on a staff member occurs, the department takes those actions very seriously and there are consequences for those actions,” he said.