DELANO, Calif. — A North Kern State Prison correctional officer is recovering from injuries after he was attacked by eight inmates last week according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The incident happened Friday at the prison in Delano.

The correctional officer was doing security checks in one of the facilities just before the attack happened. Officials said during the checks the officer spotted an inmate with a contraband cell phone. The inmate allegedly attacked the officer before seven other inmates joined in.

Other correctional officers used pepper spray and other non-lethal tactics to help stop the alleged attack. The officer was taken to a local hospital and was later released.

The eight suspects were re-housed in the administrative segregation unit pending the investigation. Prison officials continue to investigate.