Man Convicted Of Rape In Oktibbeha County Stabbed In Prison

WALNUT GROVE, Miss. (AP) – Two inmates were stabbed in separate incidents at the Walnut Grove Correctional Facility.

Walnut Grove Police Chief Kevin Polk says James Smith was taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center after being stabbed seven times Wednesday. Department of Corrections records show 25-year-old Smith was convicted of murder in Forrest County.

Polk says 23-year-old Robert Rowan was taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center with three stab wounds Wednesday. Records show Rowan was convicted of statutory rape in Oktibbeha County.

Issa Arnita, a spokesman for prison operator Management & Training Corp., says Smith has returned to the prison, while Rowan remains hospitalized with injuries that aren’t life-threatening.

Walnut Grove remains under federal court oversight for inmate-on-inmate violence and other issues.