Inmate at RI Dept. of Corrections dies from COVID-19

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE): A 66-year-old inmate died from COVID-19, according to the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

The inmate died at Rhode Island Hospital while being treated for complications of COVID-19, according to a spokesperson for the RIDOC.

“The inmate was housed in the maximum-security facility of the ACI since 1988, where he was serving life without parole for the sexual assault and resulting death of a 73-year-old double amputee woman,” according to J.R. Ventura.

The Department of Corrections reported 1,098 cases including facility residents and staff, as of Thursday. 390 of the cases are from the maximum-security unit.

The RIDOC Director, Patricia Coyne-Fague, Esq. put out the following statement:

“It is clear that we must continue our efforts to mitigate the spread of Covid19. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our medical and security staff, we have not experienced the heartbreaking losses that other DOCs across the country have. However, this is a strong reminder as to why we must continue to wear our masks, get vaccinated, and follow our health safety protocols to keep everyone as safe as possible.

The death comes less than a week after a correctional officer died from COVID-19.