Inmate At Suffield Correctional Facility Dies From Coronavirus

SUFFIELD, CT — An inmate at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution died Wednesday of complications from coronavirus, becoming the first incarcerated person under the care of the Connecticut Department of Correction to pass away due to COVID-19 related health issues since January, according to a written statement from the DOC.

Due to medical privacy laws, the name of the individual is not being released. He had last entered the Connecticut correctional system in May 2000, and was serving a 40-year sentence for risk of injury to a minor and first-degree sexual assault, according to the DOC.

The 78-year-old man was being treated in the facility’s infirmary and succumbed to his illnesses early Wednesday morning. He had suffered from several significant underlying health issues, and had previously contracted, and recovered from, the COVID-19 virus last December, according to the DOC.

On Aug. 9, the inmate was transferred to an area hospital, where he tested positive for COVID-19. After receiving treatment, he returned to MacDougall-Walker on Aug. 16.

To register for free Suffield news alerts and more, click here.