WARREN – An inmate suffered a deep, 6-inch-long wound to his neck during a fight that broke out Thursday in the outdoor recreation area of the Maine State Prison, forcing a lockdown of four sections of the building while officers searched for the weapon.

A second inmate suffered minor injuries in the fight. He was treated in-house.

Warden Jeffrey Merrill would not release the names of the injured prisoners or two inmates believed to be involved in the attack.

The suspected inmates were segregated, and a search of the two-man cells in four “pods,” or sections, began shortly after the 8:20 a.m. incident. There are 64 inmates to each pod in the medium security housing unit.

As of Thursday afternoon, the weapon had not been found.

“It was a very sharp weapon,” Merrill said as he monitored the shakedown from his office via closed circuit television. Guards emptied cells and sorted through inmates’ clothing and other personal property.

In the process, they also were looking for other contraband, Merrill said.

The more seriously injured prisoner was taken to Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport, where he had an unknown number of internal stitches as well as staples on the outer surface of his wound, Merrill said. The gash was nearly three-quarters of an inch deep by 6 inches long, he said. He described it as a “deep, severe cut.”

“It was not life-threatening,” Merrill said, “although it was very close.”

By the looks of the wound, the action was “intentional,” Merrill said.

By early afternoon, the seriously injured inmate had returned to the prison from the hospital.

The other inmate was hit with a fist, Merrill said. He was treated for bumps and bruises.

Second shift staff were called in early to assist, and personnel from the neighboring Bolduc Correctional Facility were enlisted to help with the time-consuming search of nearly 100 cells.

An estimated 75 inmates were moving from the indoor recreation area to the outdoor recreation yard at about 8:20 p.m. when the fight broke out with an unspecified number of guards behind them.

“Usually, the fights are quick,” Merrill said, “and then they walk away.”

As fast as the attack occurred, the inmates who were not involved backed away. The prisoner whose neck was slashed quickly returned to his cell, Merrill said, but was soon taken to the hospital.

A criminal investigation was under way in which staff and witnesses were being interviewed to determine exactly what happened, who did it and why, Merrill said.

More than likely, there was some “strong-arming” going on, Merrill said. “It’s not uncommon [for some prisoners] to show others they’re boss, they’re in control.” The prison has nearly 900 inmates.

Inside a prison, inmates sometimes carry concealed weapons, but usually to protect themselves, Merrill said.

Inmates are “encouraged to communicate if they feel threatened,” Merrill said. “Some are reluctant.”

If the inmates who perpetrated the attack are identified, they will face criminal assault charges, which could result in more prison time. Whoever is responsible will be subject to an internal Class A write-up, as well, Merrill said, which carries up to 30 days’ punishment, such as loss of good time credits or being placed in segregation.