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For Immediate Release: September 15, 2004
Contact: Perrin Damon, 503-945-0925
Photo: Inmate Michael John Ivester, #13416313
Two Officers Injured in Attack by Inmate
At approximately noon today, two security staff at Oregon State Penitentiary were stabbed by one inmate in a unilateral attack. The injuries do not appear to be life threatening and the suspect has been identified and secured.
The identities of the staff members who were assaulted in today's incident are:
- Correctional Lieutenant Gary Russell, 34 – 8 years of service
- Correctional Officer Mark Taylor, 45 – 13 years of service
The incident took place on the Control Room Floor at the maximum-security prison in Salem. During the course of a normal day at the penitentiary, inmates cross this common area to get to their housing units from other parts of the prison where they work and attend programs.
The inmate used a homemade knife to stab a correctional lieutenant twice in the back, left shoulder area. A correctional officer who went to the lieutenant's assistance was stabbed once in the leg while restraining the inmate. The lieutenant was taken to Salem Hospital for treatment and remains hospitalized. The correctional officer was treated at an urgent care facility and released.
The suspect, Inmate Michael Ivester (22), entered the custody of the Department of Corrections on December 12, 2002. He is serving consecutive sentences that total almost 25 years for Robbery I, Kidnapping I, Assault I, and two counts of Assault III from Deschutes County.
The inmate's motive is unknown at this time. Oregon State Police and Department of Corrections staff are investigating. At this time, the prison is on modified lockdown as a precaution and visiting is cancelled on Thursday, September 16.
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