Inmate breaks up fight between N.Y. prison guards

(CBS/AP) - It seems at least one New York prison hasn't figured out how the prison guard-inmate roles work.

Two corrections officers were reportedly suspended without pay after their fight had to be broken up - by an inmate - at the Erie County Correctional Facility.

Erie County Undersheriff Mark Wipperman called the incident an "embarrassment" and said it began over a food dispute.

Wipperman says the inmate jumped into the fray because he liked the guards and didn't want either of them be fired.

Prison personnel told The Buffalo News that the inmate lost a tooth in the scuffle and required medical attention.

Wipperman identified the officers as Lawrence Mule, a 26-year veteran, and James Conlin, who was hired 29 years ago.

The unnamed inmate is reportedly back in prison, perhaps ready to fight another day.