An inmate at Wildwood Correctional Facility was pronounced dead in his cell Wednesday night, according to a June 27 press release from the Alaska Department of Corrections.
The 23-year-old man was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 8:36 p.m. during a routine check. According to the release, officers and medical staff immediately began performing life-saving measures and emergency responders had arrived on the scene at 8:44 p.m. The man was pronounced dead at 8:51 p.m.
At this time, no foul play is suspected and troopers are investigating the death as a suicide. Sarah Gallagher, public information officer with DOC, said that all inmates are screened by medical personnel for suicidal behavior within 24 hours of entering a correctional facility and correctional officers are trained to identify signs of suicidal behavior in inmates. Gallagher said that the inmate had not exhibited any of these signs and was not being monitored as a suicide risk.
The man had been in DOC custody since May 5, and was an unsentenced inmate, according to the press release. Next of kin has been notified.
