Inmate at the ACI dies from COVID-19

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE): An inmate at the ACI has passed away from COVID-19, according to the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

The 79-year-old man had other serious complicating health conditions that contributed to his death, according to the spokesperson.

“The inmate requested comfort measures only and that no extraordinary measures to be taken to keep him alive,” J.R. Ventura with the Department of Corrections said.

The inmate’s name won’t be released due to medical privacy laws. He was in the medium security facility, serving a life sentence for murder.

This comes less than week after another inmate died from COVID-19 over the weekend. This sparked a protest outside Governor Gina Raimondo’s home that lead to a handful of arrests.

The Director for the Dept. of Corrections released the following statement:

“Any loss of life is very painful for friends and families, especially around the holidays, and we are keeping all who have lost relatives and loved ones in our thoughts during this difficult time. We are doing everything we can to keep people as safe as possible – no one wants to see more people die as a result of this virus that has claimed already too many lives in our state, and the rest of the world.”