The man was taken to hospital with wounds to his upper body after the incident in the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Ravenhall on Thursday.
"Police are investigating," a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
"It's alleged a male prisoner set upon the officer about 11am."
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed the officer was taken to hospital for observation. He underwent assessment and treatment but did not require admission.
A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson said prison officers are supported with training on tactical options and de-escalation, and violence would not be tolerated.
"All acts of violence against our hardworking corrections officers are completely unacceptable and referred to police," the spokesperson said.
"The Victorian Government has introduced new laws to ensure that prison officers have the same protections as emergency services workers. Any prisoner responsible for injuring a prison officer faces significant punishment, including extra time in prison."
The state government introduced new laws in 2018 making injuring a prison officer a Category 1 offence under the Sentencing Act.
The changes require courts to impose a minimum custodial sentence of six months for any person found guilty of assaulting a prison officer, unless special reasons apply.
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