Tas prison officer's face slashed

A prison officer has been slashed in the face with a makeshift weapon in Hobart's Risdon Prison.

The 31-year-old officer was taken to hospital with a non-life threatening facial wound after he was attacked about 1.45pm on Saturday.

The attack occurred in the prison's maximum security unit and the police investigation is focused on a 29-year-old male inmate.

The officer is expected to be released from hospital late on Saturday after undergoing treatment.

Corrections Minister Vanessa Goodwin has pledged to introduce tougher punishment for such attacks.

"Violence against correctional staff is totally unacceptable," Ms Goodwin said in a statement.

"The Government reaffirms its commitment to introduce minimum mandatory sentences for serious assaults against custodial officers."