Inmate Death at Jessup Correctional Institute Under Investigation by Maryland State Police

Maryland State Police are leading an investigation into the death of an inmate at the Jessup Correctional Institute, a correctional facility located in Jessup, Maryland. The deceased has been identified as Joseph Harrell, a 33-year-old inmate who was serving time at the institution. Emergency medical services personnel pronounced Harrell deceased at the jail. Authorities have identified another inmate as a suspect in the death, though this individual will not be formally named until charges are filed.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was notified of the inmate’s death around 7:30 p.m. on January 26 by investigators from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Unit. Preliminary findings suggest that Mr. Harrell was involved in an altercation with another inmate near the library. Medical staff were called to the scene following the confrontation, and Harrell was subsequently declared deceased. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit responded to the correctional facility, and crime scene technicians from the Forensic Sciences Division were also present to process the scene for evidence. The findings of this ongoing investigation will be submitted to the Office of the State’s Attorney in Anne Arundel County for their review.

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

---