Jamal Ariola, 23, an inmate of the Belize Central Prison, escaped death after he was stabbed repeatedly in the prison’s compound with a sharpened iron tool, called a bora, by a fellow inmate, Giovanni Ramirez, at about 2:30 yesterday afternoon.

Police say Ramirez stabbed Ariola in the chest, head, back, hands and legs. Ariola is now receiving treatment for his injuries at a medical center housed at the Belize Central Prison, where he is now recovering.

Ramirez is presently in custody pending charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder.

Ariola told police that he was on the compound of the jail talking to his friend, Giovanni Ramirez, a fellow inmate, when suddenly, without provocation, Ramirez took out a bora and stabbed him in the chest. When Ariola tried to protect himself, he was stabbed in the back, leg, head and arms.

Prison officers, who saw what was happening, quickly intervened and subdued Ramirez. Ariola was then rushed to the medical center in the prison, where doctors who examined him classified his injuries as wounding.

Police announced that they have recovered the bora, which is about 6 inches in length, and Ramirez will be charged at the conclusion of their investigation. The motive of the attack is not known.