Families demand answers after recent inmate deaths at ACI
CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — Families whose loved ones are behind bars at the Adult Correctional Institute in Cranston are demanding answers after two deaths this past weekend.
According to the group, Direct Action for Rights and Equality, at least four known inmate deaths have occurred so far this year.
48-year-old William Page was pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital after collapsing while playing basketball in the gym at the ACI Friday evening.
Page’s great aunt, Nancy Price, said she found out from an inmate that her nephew was at the hospital.
“He was a good young man, and he was loved by everybody,” Price said. “What’s happening to our loved ones? That’s what I want to know. What’s happening to our loved ones, and I will demand answers.”
The ACI reported Page died of a heart attack, but his family said he was in good health.
“They’re humans just like us that are on the outside,” cousin Neisha Lopez said. “The only difference is that they’re behind those bars, but they’re humans just like everybody else.”
Leigh Jones lost her son, 25-year-old Willie Washington Jr., who was serving five years.
Washington Jr. was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at the hospital on February 28.
Jones said her son visited the nurse three times prior to his death and was given baby aspirin each time.
“25 years old, healthy, healthy man, this is how I get him back,” explained Jones as she held her child’s ashes. “So if you don’t tell me how Rhode Island State and ACI custody can neglect any human being…this is what happens.”
Both families believe their loves ones are victims of medical neglect.
President of the Correction Officers’ Union Richard Ferruccio said, when an inmate goes into distress, a nurse is seeing them within minutes.
“We have correctional officers that are trained in first aid and CPR, they’re responding,” Ferruccio explained. “Word that gets out there is correctional officer’s are dropping the ball and we’re causing this, but that is the furthest thing from the truth.”
Ferruccio said K-2, a synthetic drug that comes into the prison on paper, is a huge issue at the ACI, but he does not know how many deaths could be related to that.
The Rhode Island Department of Corrections released a statement to ABC 6 News that reads, in part:
“People come to us from police departments and courts with all manner of afflictions, comorbidities, and medical ailments. Just like in nursing facilities, hospitals and other extended care centers, people unfortunately pass away due to different causes.”
