Prisoner charged over NSW guard stabbing

Tiffanie Turnbull and Maureen DettreAAP
Camera IconAn inmate at Sydney's Silverwater jail has been charged after a female prison guard was stabbed.

A prisoner has been charged with stabbing a female prison guard in the back with scissors at Sydney's Silverwater jail.

Police were called to the prison after the guard was attacked by the 26-year-old woman about 8am.

The guard was taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition, where she is expected to undergo surgery.

Ambulance Inspector Kevin McSweeneby said four crews, including a specialist medical team, were sent to the jail.

"It was a brutal attack, with the patient having a significant wound to her back," he said.

The guard's alleged assailant was placed in segregation, before facing Burwood local court on Monday charged with malicious wounding.

The 26-year-old inmate was denied bail.

Staff at the jail have been offered counselling after the attack, a Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman says.

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