AUBURN – A former state prison inmate is suing a guard, claiming the corrections officer assaulted him behind bars two years ago.

Kevin Camp of Lisbon Falls has filed a lawsuit in Androscoggin County Superior Court against the officer, Michael Goodwin of Lewiston, as well as the prison superintendent and the commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections.

In the suit, Camp said Goodwin punched the inmate’s neck, head and face, threw him on the ground and continued to punch and kick his neck, head and face. The alleged incident happened on June 18, 2005, according to the complaint.

Camp said he suffered “severe and disabling injuries” causing him to seek medical treatment. He said he also would have to seek future treatment for permanent injuries. The injuries hindered his ability to work and would interfere with his future ability to work. Camp filed the suit through his attorneys, Bruce Merrill of Portland and Leonard Sharon of Auburn.

An assistant to Scott Burnheimer, superintendent at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham, said he could not comment on pending litigation.

Camp named Burnheimer and Commissioner Martin Magnusson in the suit, saying they failed in their duties to train and educate Goodwin in the proper care of an inmate. He claimed they were negligent and should bear responsibility for his injuries.

Camp also claimed his alleged assault was unconstitutional because it deprived him of due process under the Fourteenth Amendment and subjected him to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

An assistant to Burnheimer said Camp was no longer an inmate.