WILMINGTON — An early morning altercation at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington between an inmate and several correctional officers resulted in a sergeant being hospitalized with a broken leg, according to the Correctional Officers Association of Delaware.

Union president Geoff Klopp said the incident occurred around 5 a.m. on Wednesday when correctional officers were attempting to get several inmates to remove laundry from their cells and neatly stack their mattresses.

After becoming belligerent the inmate was sprayed with a “burst of Sabre Red” (pepper spray) and a physical altercation ensued. Mr. Klopp said a sergeant’s leg was broken as the fight was brought to the ground in an attempt to subdue the aggressive inmate.

After several more staff members assisted, the officers were able to get the inmate into “mechanical restraints” and placed in a cell for Quick Response Team to take custody of him.

Department of Correction administration confirmed the incident Wednesday.

“We can confirm an officer at HRYCI sustained an injury at approximately 4:50 a.m. this morning,” said Jayme Gravell, a DOC spokeswoman.”The officer was evaluated at an outside hospital. The DOC is investigating the incident.”

A persistent critic of DOC staffing levels, Mr. Klopp claims the incidents of inmates assaulting correctional officers have been inordinately for the last several years and are likely to remain an issue unless the agency can fully staff the prisons and reduce overtime.