ST. CROIX — Multiple reports came in to The Consortium late Monday of a man that had apparently committed suicide at the Golden Grove Correctional Facility. The news was later acknowledged by the V.I.P.D., but Glen Dratte, the force’s public information officer, said police were still gathering information and could not provide details.
A press release from the Bureau of Corrections, sent to this publication late Monday by the Mapp administration’s acting communications director, Samuel Topp, said that a detainee was found unresponsive in his cell and was then rushed to the Juan F. Luis Hospital where he later expired.
A source with intimate knowledge of the matter said the man, 56, — a federal detainee who was only recently brought to Golden Grove — was on suicide watch but had been taken off the watch list. He was usually with an inmate in the cell they shared, but the roommate had attended his advise-of-rights hearing on Monday morning. When the roommate returned, the man had already hanged himself. He was found around the one o’clock hour, according to the source, who has provided factual information about Golden Grove to The Consortium in the past.
In the B.O.C. release, Assistant Director Everette Hansen deemed the incident as unfortunate, but said that B.O.C. remains steadfast in its goal to provide a safe environment for inmates. “It is always unfortunate to report a loss of life; however, we remain steadfast to our mission to provide custody, security, and control,” he said.
Meanwhile, federal officials are said to be requesting a report on the matter.
The release concluded by stating that the incident was still under investigation.
Feature Image: Golden Grove Correctional Facility, St. Croix. (Credit: Ernice Gilbert, VIC)
Tags: golden grove correctional facility, man hangs himself, st croix
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