State Rules Newtown GCI Prisoner Death 'Not Criminal'

NEWTOWN, CT — A state's attorney investigation has determined that the death of an inmate at the Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown last year was not a homicide.

Jallen Jones, 31, died in March at the Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown. He was being transferred to a mental health unit within the prison when he became "non-compliant," and "combative" with staff, according to a report from the Connecticut Department of Correction. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

In June, Dr. James Gill, the state's chief medical examiner, classified Jones' death as a homicide.

Stephen J. Sedensky III, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Danbury, issued a statement Thursday that concluded:

"Upon reviewing the Western District Major Crime Squad investigation, including the reports, statements, photographs and the video recording of the incident itself, I have determined that the circumstances of the Mr. Jones’ death are not criminal in nature. Accordingly, the criminal investigation into this matter is closed. We express our sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Jones on their loss."

Jones was serving a 10-year sentence for robbery and had been imprisoned since 2014.

According to the release, Jones "had been having mental health difficulties and was described as decompensating. In the process of moving Mr. Jones to a medical unit a personal search was required. Mr. Jones struggled with the officers and physical force was applied to Mr. Jones including the application of mace in an attempt to subdue him. Medical services were requested and medication was administered in an attempt to calm Mr. Jones. Sometime after the medication was administered, Mr. Jones became unresponsive. Emergency medical services were called and Mr. Jones was transported to Danbury Hospital where he was pronounced dead."