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8 Injured In Md. Prison Assaults

CRESAPTOWN, Md. (AP) -- A Maryland corrections spokesman says eight correctional officers suffered minor injuries in two separate assaults New Year's Eve at the North Branch Correctional Institution. 

Corrections spokesman Mark Vernarelli says the first assault occurred about 5 p.m. Friday when an officer was struck in the face by an inmate heading to dinner at the western Maryland prison. 

Vernarelli says several inmates assaulted other officers a short time later. One officer suffered facial injuries, another hurt a knee and other officers were taken to the hospital to be treated for exposure to pepper spray. 

Vernarelli says searches conducted after the assaults did not find any weapons. 

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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