Convicted rapist admits brutal attack on a teacher in prison

A convicted rapist admits carrying out a brutal attack on a teacher in an Arizona jail classroom.

Jacob Harvey stabbed his victim in the head with a pen, forced her to the ground and raped her after she was left alone with the convict in a prison classroom, investigators heard.

The teacher had been issuing a high school equivalency test to six inmates at Eyman state prison's Meadows Unit -  which houses about 1,300 rapists, child molesters and other sex offenders. 

After the other convicts had left the classroom following the test, Harvey had carried out the brutal attack. 

The woman, who claimed she had been left alone with the inmates with no guards nearby, said she had screamed for help but none arrived.

Eventually, Harvey allowed her to use a radio to call the prison guards for help.

The 21-year-old has now pleaded guilty to rape, kidnapping and aggravated assault with a weapon at a routine pre-trial hearing in Pinal County Superior Court.

Attorney's Office spokeswoman Tiffany Davila warned he is likely to face life behind bars when he is sentenced next month.

Harvey is already serving a 30-year sentence for raping a woman in November 2011.

Then just 17, he had carried out the brazen daylight attack at his victim's home in Glendale, Arizona.

Harvey had knocked on his victim's door asking for a glass of water but had forced his way inside and raped the woman while her toddler was in the same apartment.

He fled - naked - after her roommate arrived but was convicted after DNA evidence connected him to the crime.

The rapist was sentenced to 30 years in jail where he was initially classified as a high risk Class 4, just one below the highest security level. But within six months his classification had been dropped to lower risk.

Harvey had been in jail for just a year when he carried out the attack on the teacher. 

She is now suing the state over the assault which she lamed on lax training, staffing shortages and poor security at the prison.

The 35-year-old said she has been unable to sleep and has been forced to seek therapy after the rape.

Prison officials, who have faced criticism for the attack, are now appealing a $14,000 fine from the Division of Occupational Health and Safety for failing to protect the teacher.

The agency also is investigating the April 13 sexual assault of a corrections officer at the state prison in Yuma.