NJ Inmate Dies After Encounter With Officers At Northern State Prison

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey authorities have launched an investigation after an inmate at Northern State Prison in Newark died following an encounter with correctional officers.

David Silva, 46, was involved in an “encounter with correctional police officers” at the prison on Dec. 3, according to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

Silva was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital on Dec. 12.

“The identities of the involved officers are not being released at this time,” the attorney general’s office stated Monday.

“The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time,” authorities added.

PRISON REPORT

A state watchdog office recently released a new deep dive into one of the housing units at the prison, which has allegedly seen ongoing issues since reopening nearly a year ago – including suicides, plumbing backups in the cells, complaints about medical care and constant lockdowns.

The state Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson found that there are several “serious conditions” that need to be addressed in the unit. But inspectors also said that prison administrators and staff have been making improvements over the past year, adding that a job assignment at the RHU remains a “very challenging post for officers.”

• See Related: Hundreds Of Complaints Spur Inspections At Northern State Prison

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