Illinois’ prison officials and its corrections officers are at odds over the cause of a recent assault by inmates. 

On Sunday, five inmates injured six guards at Pontiac prison. 

A spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections blamed the attack on “a failure to follow workplace procedures,” by prison workers. Eddie Caumiant is with the union that represents corrections officers, and says the attack was not the workers’ fault. 

“I think it’s outrageous to blame someone for being the victim of an attack,” Caumiant said. Caumiant took part in a union-organized picket outside the downstate prison Friday. 

The union says the injuries were the culmination of a culture of inmate violence, and a sign the facility needs stricter security measures, something the department of corrections denies.