With the latest death within the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, that makes five in six weeks.That’s according to Mayor Greg Fischer, who addressed the death on Monday. Watch in the player above.A 66-year-old man named Keith Smith died Sunday morning in the medical housing unit. He was booked on Jan. 5 on criminal trespassing and drug paraphernalia charges. His cause of death has not yet been determined.And just over a week ago, another inmate, Gary L. Wetherill, of Louisville, attempted to hang himself. He died two days later, according to the coroner. More on that story.More: Details on other three inmates that died recentlyAccording to the mayor, all of the deaths are being investigated by LMPD’s Integrity Unit and one of them has involvement from the FBI. He did not specify which one.Fischer said it’s unclear at this time if something unusual is happening, or if it is “just really tragic.” He said the jail typically averages three deaths a year. It’s also no secret that the downtown jail has been facing a critical employee shortage in recent months, while being simultaneously overcrowded.If a pattern is determined between the deaths, Fischer said they will “certainly open further investigations.” Last month, Fischer announced a plan to boost pay for corrections officers to attract more recruits to the jail.This story may be updated.
With the latest death within the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, that makes five in six weeks.
That’s according to Mayor Greg Fischer, who addressed the death on Monday. Watch in the player above.
A 66-year-old man named Keith Smith died Sunday morning in the medical housing unit. He was booked on Jan. 5 on criminal trespassing and drug paraphernalia charges.
His cause of death has not yet been determined.
And just over a week ago, another inmate, Gary L. Wetherill, of Louisville, attempted to hang himself. He died two days later, according to the coroner. More on that story.
More: Details on other three inmates that died recently
According to the mayor, all of the deaths are being investigated by LMPD’s Integrity Unit and one of them has involvement from the FBI. He did not specify which one.
Fischer said it’s unclear at this time if something unusual is happening, or if it is “just really tragic.”
He said the jail typically averages three deaths a year.
It’s also no secret that the downtown jail has been facing a critical employee shortage in recent months, while being simultaneously overcrowded.
If a pattern is determined between the deaths, Fischer said they will “certainly open further investigations.”
Last month, Fischer announced a plan to boost pay for corrections officers to attract more recruits to the jail.
This story may be updated.
