Santa Clara County correctional deputy attacked by inmate, officials say

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The Santa Clara County sheriff's department says an inmate punched a correctional deputy in the face multiple times at the Santa Clara County Jail on Sunday afternoon.

The correctional deputy was taken to the hospital as part of the jail's protocol. He was checked out and released within an hour. The sheriff's office said the deputy is back on the job today at the jail.

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Sheriff Laurie Smith paid for surveillance cameras out of her own pocket and had them installed in the main jail back in early March. This was in response to the death of an inmate Michael Tyree. Three jail guards have been charged with his murder. But the sheriff has also said these cameras will help protect the guards as well.

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ABC7 News has learned there were no cameras where this incident took place Sunday. More cameras have been installed since March, and the sheriff's department is in the process of installing even more.

The inmate in this case will likely be charged with a felony for assaulting a deputy.