WEST BOYLSTON (CBS) – A local prison guard is recovering after being attacked by a prisoner.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office confirms that the officer working at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction was attacked with a piece of metal fencing.

A second officer who rushed to help was also injured.

This inmate was a new arrival pre-trial inmate. However, he had been assigned to a maximum security housing unit because of his criminal history.

In a statement, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office said the incident appears to be isolated, but they are investigating.

“It is an unfortunate reality that corrections officers work in a dangerous environment, but we strive each day to prevent incidents like this from occurring,” Sheriff Lew Evangelidis said in the statement. “Our staff did a tremendous job responding to this incident and we are grateful that at this time these injuries do not appear to be life threatening.”