Department of Correction Investigating Inmate Suicide at Osborn in Somers

The Connecticut Department of Correction is investigating the apparent suicide of an inmate at the Osborn Correctional Institution in Somers.

At approximately 3 a.m. on Tuesday, correctional staff conducting routine tours observed an inmate in his cell with a piece of bed sheet tied around his neck.  The other end of the sheet was secured to the window bars in the cell. 

He was the only inmate in the cell at the time.

Correctional and medical staff immediately initiated emergency and life saving measures and the inmate was transported to Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford where he was pronounced dead at approximately 4 a.m.

The inmate is a 48-year-old male from Bridgeport who was serving a 43 month sentence for possession of less than 4 ounces of marijuana or controlled substance. 

He had most recently entered the system in June of 2010. He is not being identified at this point as efforts are underway to contact his next of kin.

The exact manner and cause of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The Department of Correction Security Division and the Connecticut State Police are investigating the death.