BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -  

A state prison guard is sitting on the other side of the bars.

Bakersfield Police say the guard assaulted his girlfriend and threatened to kill her.

Police say the victim called 911, but the suspect ripped the phone from her hand before she could ask for help.

Dispatchers listened as the woman screamed and fought for her life.

Police got to the home near Olive Drive and Old Farm Road just before 3:30 a.m.

Police say the suspect, 43-year-old Alfred Hernandez, had been in an argument with his girlfriend but when she tried to leave, he turned violent.

Police say Hernandez pinned the victim to ground held a pillow over face and threatened to kill her.

Police say Hernandez is a corrections officer at Corcoran State Prison.

Police say the victim suffered minor injuries.

Hernandez was booked on three felonies including kidnapping.

He declined our request for a jailhouse interview.