Prison officers in Arizona were horrified to discover that an inmate had pulled one of his eyes out of its socket.

Sheriff's officials in Pinal County, south east of Phoenix, said Colin Corkhill, 26, of Scottsdale, was booked into jail on Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder, auto theft, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

Corkhill was originally put with other inmates, but detention officers saw him punch himself in the face, so he was placed in a cell by himself under a mental health watch.

Officials say officers making routine cell checks on Thursday night saw blood on the window of Corkhill's door and found that he had pulled his right eyeball out of its socket with his fingers.

Doctors were unable to save the eye.

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