FOLSOM – California State Prison-Sacramento (CSP-SAC) officials are investigating the attempted murder of a correctional officer that occurred this morning in one of the maximum-security units.

On November 18, 2013, at approximately 8 a.m., inmate Alberto Cortez, 22, tried to murder a 40-year-old correctional officer by repeatedly slashing him with an inmate-made weapon. A second inmate tried to attack officers who responded to the incident. Cortez who has been in prison since December 23, 2010, is serving a 15-years-to-life sentence from Los Angeles County for attempted first-degree murder and receiving stolen property.

The officer, a 15-year veteran of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, was slashed on his neck. He was taken to an outside hospital by ambulance for treatment and is in fair condition at this time.

CSP-SAC’s Investigative Services Unit is investigating the incident as an attempted murder. The Office of the Inspector General’s Bureau of Independent Review was notified of the incident.

California State Prison-Sacramento is a multi-mission institution that houses more than 2,100 inmates and employs more than 1,700 people. Opened in 1986, the institution houses maximum-security inmates serving long sentences or those who have proved to be management problems at other institutions. CSP-SAC also houses inmates requiring specialized mental health programming and inmates with high-risk medical concerns. CSP-SAC promotes rehabilitative opportunities through work assignments, vocational training, self-help programs and educational opportunities.