Following an initial review of the recent death of inmate Tyrone Briggs at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Mahanoy, Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary John Wetzel, on Friday, suspended 13 employees pending the outcome of any criminal and administrative investigations.
The Pennsylvania State Police is investigating the matter.
The DOC will not release the names of the suspended individuals, but confirms that the employees include medical and security staff. Suspensions are without pay pending the outcome of the investigations.
"Whatever the outcome of this case, we are going to be as transparent as possible, and the DOC will take whatever remedial measures deemed to be necessary," Secretary Wetzel said.
Wetzel also noted that this incident should not serve to tarnish the reputation of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and its 16,000 dedicated men and women who work every day toward a goal of providing public safety and reducing recidivism.
The DOC will not release the names of the suspended individuals, but confirms that the employees include medical and security staff. Suspensions are without pay pending the outcome of the investigations.
"Whatever the outcome of this case, we are going to be as transparent as possible, and the DOC will take whatever remedial measures deemed to be necessary," Secretary Wetzel said.
n November 11, 2019, at 3:20 PM, inmate Tyrone Briggs was reported to be involved in an altercation with another inmate on the walkway near their housing unit.
While waiting to be processed into the restricted housing unit, Briggs became unresponsive. Medical was notified, and Briggs was transported to the prison’s medical triage area where CPR was started. Briggs was pronounced dead by Dr. Saifullah at 4:56 PM.
Briggs, 29, was serving a 15-to-30-year sentence for rape of a child out of Philadelphia County. He was committed to the Department of Corrections on August 19, 2008, and had been at SCI Mahanoy since August 2011.
Briggs, 29, was serving a 15-to-30-year sentence for rape of a child out of Philadelphia County. He was committed to the Department of Corrections on August 19, 2008, and had been at SCI Mahanoy since August 2011.
Wetzel also noted that this incident should not serve to tarnish the reputation of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and its 16,000 dedicated men and women who work every day toward a goal of providing public safety and reducing recidivism.