The Latest: Stillwater program up in air after guard’s death

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Latest on security at a Minnesota prison following the killing of a guard (all times local):

10:25 a.m.

Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Tom Roy says a vocational program at the Stillwater prison is being reassessed after a guard was slain.

Roy didn’t say what changes might be made to the program, which gives prisoners access to tools that may be used as weapons.

Corrections Officer Joseph Gomm died last week of blunt force trauma after what prison officials said was an attack by an inmate. Edward Muhammad Johnson, a 42-year-old inmate serving time for murder, is suspected in the case.

Stillwater remains on lockdown.

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6:23 a.m.

Minnesota corrections officials are set to announce new security plans following the fatal attack of a prison officer by an inmate.

Corrections Officer Joseph Gomm was killed last week after an inmate allegedly attacked him at the state prison in Stillwater. State Corrections Commissioner Tom Roy is to lay out “next steps” on security on Friday.

Authorities say 42-year-old inmate Edward Muhammad Johnson is suspected of attacking Gomm with a weapon. Johnson has been serving time on a nearly 29-year murder sentence from 2002.

The union representing Minnesota prison employees has said prisons are understaffed, and state records show assaults on officers have been increasing.

Gomm is believed to be the first Minnesota correctional officer to be killed while on duty. His funeral was held Thursday.