Detective J.M. Clark of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said the victim, whose named he declined to immediately release, was described by officials at Caledonia Correctional Facility in Tillery as a model prisoner with no violations and no history of violence. He has been in the state prison system since 1969.

The assault occurred the morning of December 22 in an area around a phone room out of the view of correctional officers.

It was sparked by an argument although Clark said he is still unclear of the motive.

He said Moshesh Gooding, a 39-year-old, allegedly attacked the victim with a force so strong the victim's back was broken. No weapons were used.

Gooding, who is serving a life sentence for second-degree murder out of Mecklenburg County, was charged Tuesday with assault inflicting serious injury.

Another inmate, Marc Farrar, 45, who is serving a life term for first-degree murder and 12 years for first-degree kidnapping out of Guilford County, was charged with felony obstruction of justice.

Clark said in a statement Farrar allegedly made false and misleading statements during the investigation.

The assault left the victim paralyzed from the neck down and he remains in medical care.

“The doctors can't say what kind of recovery will be made,” Clark said

The sheriff’s office is coordinating with DPS to serve the warrants against the men.