Two teenage prison inmates who attacked a male and a female guard in the Senior Training School facility have been sentenced to 18 months further imprisonment.

Clarke Fox, 18, and Detre Ford, 17, were on remand awaiting trial for a violent home invasion when they launched the assault last July 18.

The pair pleaded guilty yesterday to causing actual bodily harm to Principal Officer Anthony Smith and Divisional Officer Sandra Smith.

Prosecutor Larissa Burgess told Magistrates' Court the inmates were being returned to a cell they shared when they jumped Mr. Smith and placed him in a headlock.

Meanwhile, two other prisoners 17-year-old J'Dun Thompson and a 16-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons charged at Ms Smith and pulled her to the ground.

All four then kicked Mr. Smith as he lay on the ground, and Ms Smith was kicked on the arm as she tried to defend him. As Ms Smith ran to the door to summon help, Thompson chased after her and tried to take her keys to the prison doors. She managed to fight him off.

After what Ms Burgess described as a "long and violent struggle" Mr. Smith managed to fight his attackers off.

He was left with bruises to his ribs and jaw, and cuts and bruises to his forehead, shoulder and hand. Ms Smith suffered bruises to her arm, leg and thumb.

The officers were only working that day to cover for others attending the funeral of their co-worker Shakeya DeRoza, who was stabbed to death the week before.

Fox was just 17 years old and Ford was 16 at the time of the prison assault. They were on remand over a home invasion in Curving Avenue, Pembroke, a month before, during which a man was bludgeoned with a bottle. The pair admitted to burglary and unlawful wounding last November, and were jailed for five years in December.

Defence lawyer Llewellyn Peniston said Ford has completed his G.E.D. while incarcerated and he has seen "a positive change in him".

Defence lawyer Elizabeth Christopher said the pair have suffered "great hardship" as a result of their behaviour, as those they attacked are still responsible for their welfare.

Both teenagers apologised for their actions. They are now incarcerated in the adult correctional facility, Westgate.

Sentencing Ford and Fox to 18 months for the prison attack, Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo said it will be added to the end of the sentences they are currently serving. He told the pair: "You inflicted violence or attempted to inflict violence on people when you're already doing time. It makes no sense. If you can do violence in captivity, what are you going to do when you're out?"

Chairman of the Prison Officers' Association Craig Clarke welcomed the sentence, saying: "We are glad it was 18 months consecutive to the sentence they are already serving. That's a good sign. It's a deterrent and shows if you put your hands on a corrections officer you should expect a period of incarceration. No one goes to work to be assaulted."

Prison Commissioner Edward Lamb said: "Our launching court proceedings for this grave offence was an indication to all that we take such matters seriously and we shall use the full weight of the law to protect our officers and staff."

He added: "I am pleased to see that justice has been served. It is my understanding that the sentences are to run consecutively to their current sentences, and with that I am satisfied."

Meanwhile, the same 16-year-old who allegedly participated in the prison assault was also involved in the home invasion.

He has been dealt with at Youth Court, where he was given 18 months' probation for the home invasion. Proceedings against him are currently pending there over the prison attack, which he denies.

Thompson has pleaded not guilty to the attack on the prison guards and will go on trial at Magistrates' Court at a later date. Thompson, an associate of the Parkside and Middletown gangs according to the Police, was shot in the foot during an incident on Court Street last May.

Cervio Cox, 26, was found guilty earlier this week of being an accomplice to that shooting, and jailed for seven years.

Thompson became unwell during his court appearance yesterday and doubled over in apparent pain or distress. He was handed water by court officials. His trial date will be fixed when he returns to court on June 4.