Inmate Death at Jessup Correctional Institute Under State Police Investigation

Maryland State Police are leading the investigation into the death of a state prison inmate at the Jessup Correctional Institute in Jessup, Maryland. The deceased has been identified as 23-year-old Deon Smith. Emergency medical services personnel at the facility pronounced Smith deceased. Authorities have identified a suspect in the case, who is also an inmate, though their identity is being withheld pending the filing of charges.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was notified around 8 p.m. on December 13th by investigators from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Unit (DPSCS IID). Initial findings suggest that Smith was discovered unresponsive within Building F of the correctional facility. In response, Maryland State Police investigators from the Homicide Unit, along with crime scene technicians from the Forensic Sciences Division, were dispatched to the scene to collect evidence. The findings of this ongoing investigation are slated to be forwarded to the State’s Attorney’s Office in Anne Arundel County for their review. The investigation remains active and is continuing.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Maryland State Police

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