FORT MADISON, IOWA -- Officials say the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison was placed on lockdown Friday morning after an inmate stabbed a fellow prisoner. Authorities say the stabbing appears to be an isolated but serious incident that happened just after 7 a.m.
The inmate who was stabbed was transported to a local hospital for treatment with non-life threatening injuries and has since been brought back to the penitentiary and is listed as in stable condition.
Officials say the names of the inmates involved can't yet be released because of an ongoing investigation. No staffers were injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, construction continues on the new state penitentiary building in Ft. Madison.
One of the reasons state officials have always cited for building a new facility was the it would allow for better supervision of inmates.
Better supervision of prisoners should provide a safer environment for staff an inmates.
The Iowa State Penitentiary houses Iowas most dangerous prisoners.
Among its most notorious inmates is Bonaparte murderer, Shawn Bentler.
The AP contributed to this report.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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