A prisoner sprayed three prison officers with his blood when they attempted to confiscate drugs from him.
The incident happened at around midnight last night when the prisoner was being escorted to the emergency department in the Mater Hospital.
It is believed that the prisoner, who is serving a two and a half year sentence for robbery, received the drugs when a visitor handed him the parcel.
It is believed that when the officers tried to remove the drugs from his possession, the prisoner pulled out a needle and sprayed them with his blood.
The previous health history of the prisoner is not known but it is understood the man is a drug user.
The staff are off duty and will have tests carried out.