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On a Tuesday morning, just after ten, a tense incident unfolded at Campos del Rio prison, the largest facility in the Region of Murcia. A convicted inmate attempted to injure three officers, and two other workers required medical care. The event drew attention to the conditions and procedures within the institution, and it was noted that the aggressor had connections to prison staff associations including TAMPM and a group centered on the administrative bodies of penal institutions.
The disturbance occurred during yard time. An officer observed a prisoner in Module 5, a unit long discussed for its governance and security challenges. The inmate began removing his shirt and uttered threatening remarks. Staff quickly called two colleagues to their aid, and the inmate turned his anger toward them. Witnesses described the weapon as a makeshift blade fashioned from a metal can, sometimes referred to as a prison knife by those present.
Despite the officers’ professional response and the swift actions of the prison team, the assailant managed to strike several blows and kick at the workers. Earlier, he had attempted to slice an employee’s face with the can. The account confirms that the worker’s safety protocols allowed for the detainee to be restrained with force, and the inmate was isolated in accordance with established containment procedures.
The 22-year-old prisoner, described as of North African descent, is serving sentences for property crimes including robbery and narcotics offenses. Authorities identified the individual as involved in multiple offenses, complicating the staff’s efforts to maintain order within the facility.
Three of the injured staff members received initial medical evaluation inside the prison. Two required hospital admission due to a head wound with bleeding and a rib injury sustained during the confrontation. The incident adds to a pattern of violence reported within the prison complex, where staff have faced repeated aggression during shifts.
The previous summer, a separate incident at Campos del Río involved another inmate attempting to cut an officer’s neck with a tin can. In that episode, the officer relied on self-defense, using a valid, proportionate response to avert a more severe outcome. Reports indicate that the neck area was narrowly avoided, underscoring the ongoing risk environment faced by frontline workers.
There is a growing demand from staff groups, including the Murcia II section of the General Union of Workers in the prison system, for stronger protections and clearer protocols. They express solidarity with colleagues who were targeted and emphasize that the mission of the prison system centers on rehabilitation and social reintegration, not on enduring attacks. The unions call for immediate actions to reduce risk and improve safety for those who work in the facility.
Concerns have also been raised about resource shortages, training gaps, and material constraints within the system. These factors are cited as contributing to unsafe working conditions. The groups advocate for the swift transfer of aggressor prisoners to other facilities when necessary to restore a workable environment and ensure ongoing safety for staff and inmates alike.
From the prisoners’ advocacy perspective, there is attention to the way disciplinary measures, mental health monitoring, and drug treatment programs are coordinated. Officials note that changes in the inmates’ routines or participation in controlled programs can influence behavior, sometimes elevating the risk of violence. The Campos del Río complex currently houses a substantial population with a limited number of medical staff, with reports indicating 1,100 inmates and only three doctors on site. Authorities estimate that staffing should ideally include at least eight medical professionals to meet the needs of the population and ensure timely care for injuries and health issues that arise among inmates and staff.