State Police

Probe Garner Prisoner Death

By Andrew Gorosko

State police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a prisoner’s death during a violent incident at the high-security Garner Correctional Institution on Nunnawauk Road on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 19.

State Department of Correction (DOC) officials did not release the identity of the prisoner on Thursday morning, saying that his name would be disclosed following the notification of next of kin.

The inmate is described as a 47-year-old man from Manchester. The prisoner was being held on “accused status” on $70,000 bail on a controlling criminal charge of disorderly conduct. The inmate was awaiting the disposition of his criminal case in court. He had entered the state prison system last August 12.

DOC spokesman Brian Garnett said Thursday the DOC’s security division will investigate the prisoner’s death, along with state police.

At approximately 3:15 pm, the prisoner “became physically disruptive and assaultive,” Mr Garnett said. “As staff attempted to gain control of the inmate, he suffered apparent cardiac arrest,” Mr Garnett added.

Prison staff members immediately started life-saving measures on the prisoner, he added. The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps was dispatched to the prison.

The inmate was transported to Danbury Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 4:30 pm, Mr Garnett said.

“The exact cause of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office,” Mr Garnett said.

State police spokesman Sergeant J. Paul Vance said state police are investigating the prisoner’s death to learn whether any violation of state law occurred. State police will work with the medical examiner is seeking to learn the cause of the man’s death, he added.

The Western District Major Crime Squad is investigating the case for state police.

Sgt Vance said that DOC officials contacted state police to inform them that an inmate “had become unruly and combative with correctional officers at the facility.”

“While correctional officers were attempting to restrain the inmate, he suffered a medical issue,” the sergeant added.

“The [state police] investigation will examine all facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. Department of Correction officials will also conduct an internal investigation into this incident,” Sgt Vance said.