Answers demanded after rash of ‘unexpected’ deaths in Mass. prisons; DOC initiates review
Five men who died "unexpectedly" while incarcerated at two Massachusetts state prisons in just over a month have been identified.
Meanwhile, the Department of Correction has announced a sixth death — an apparent suicide — that occurred at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster over the weekend, on Nov. 2.
The DOC told MassLive it is taking "system-wide clinical and safety actions" in light of the recent rash of deaths, including an independent review process led by a forensic mental health expert.
Between Sept. 20 and Oct. 28, three men died at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Norfolk and two men died at Souza-Baranowski . They are, as identified by the district attorneys' offices in Norfolk and Worcester counties:
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Christopher Stiles, age 36, Sept. 20 at MCI-Norfolk
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Robert McNickles, age 73, Sept. 27 at MCI-Norfolk
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Melvin Jackson, age 45, Oct. 3 at Souza-Baranowski
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John Rodriguez, age 65, Oct. 20 at MCI-Norfolk
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Joseph Eaton, age 36, Oct. 28 at Souza-Baranowski
All five deaths have been categorized by the DOC as unexpected "medical emergencies."
On Tuesday, the DOC said there have been six apparent suicides in custody to date in 2025, including a newly-announced death that occurred on Nov. 2 at Souza-Baranowski.
That makes for six unexpected deaths across the state prison system since Sept. 20. Four of the deaths were apparent suicides, according to data released by the DOC.
The DOC did not identify the sixth individual by name.
"Every person in our custody deserves safety, dignity and care," DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins said. "When a death occurs, we activate a coordinated, evidence-informed response that prioritizes life safety, rapid clinical engagement, environmental risk reduction, and clear communication. In addition, we are seeking an independent assessment to ensure our facilities continue to meet the highest standards of prevention, safety and clinical care."
The independent review will be led by Dr. Sharen Barboza, a clinical and consulting psychologist with expertise in mental health in correctional settings.
The DOC's Tuesday announcement came after Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts called on the department to provide "full transparency and accountability, including publicly disclosing the circumstances of each death and implementing immediate reforms to prevent future tragedies."
"These deaths raise fundamental questions about whether the DOC can fulfill its most basic obligations," PLS Executive Director Dave Rini said in a statement. "The Department claims to provide mental health treatment and substance use services, but the reality inside these prisons tells a very different story."
Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster, MA, a maximum security facility housing criminally sentenced males, on July 22, 2021. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)Boston Globe via Getty Images
Deaths in Mass. prisons this year
According to DOC death records obtained by MassLive, there have been 22 deaths of people incarcerated in the state's prisons this year. Six of those are apparent suicides, according to the DOC.
There were 19 in-custody deaths in 2024, 21 in 2023 and 28 in 2022, according to the records.
Last year, there weren't any confirmed suicides, and 2022 and 2023 had one each, the DOC said.
What the DOC does after deaths occur
The DOC outlined steps it takes after an in-custody death occurs. Those include:
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Activating a "medical investigation response team" after any unattended death
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Conducting a clinical mortality review with external health care experts
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Running parallel investigations with other authorities, including state police assigned to district attorneys' offices
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Implementing safety measures in the immediate aftermath
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Encouraging family members to contact the DOC immediately with any reported self-harm concerns from an incarcerated loved one
All in-custody deaths are referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice within 24 hours.
The DOC announced it is implementing additional measures in light of the recent deaths.
In addition to the independent review, the DOC said it will reinforce staff training on suicide prevention and mental heath; utilize "therapeutic supervision protocols;" enhance programming and clinical support provided by its health care vendor VitalCore Health Strategies; and expand health and wellness support for responding correctional officers.
Behavioral Assessment Units questioned
According to reports from incarcerated people at MCI-Norfolk, Prisoners' Legal Services said the three deaths that have occurred there since Sept. 20 happened in the facility's Behavioral Assessment Unit (BAU), "which incarcerated people consistently report is substantively similar to solitary confinement in conditions and impacts on mental and physical health."
The BAU is a type of segregated housing currently the subject of ongoing litigation — Evelyn v. Jenkins, a class action lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court that argues units like the BAU should be subject to solitary confinement reforms enacted in the state's Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018.
According to a DOC policy document, the department defines BAUs as "used for the assessment of incarcerated and civilly committed individuals who pose an unacceptable risk to the safety, security, and orderly operations of the correctional institution, have a possible personal safety need that needs to be investigated, or who pose a threat to others, and require separation from general population."
The DOC says BAUs are "not restrictive housing."
Prisoners' Legal Services cited reports that some individuals may have been placed in the Norfolk BAU because of suspected use of synthetic cannabinoids — also known as K2 or "spice."
K2 is a psychoactive substance that impacts a person's mental state, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Reported effects can vary widely, including altered mood and perception, hallucinations, relaxation, anxiety and paranoia, suicidal tendencies and increased heart rate.
"It is PLS's understanding that DOC has no treatment plan for people with K2 use disorders, and responds to K2 addiction through punishment and isolation, which is countertherapeutic and counterproductive," the organization said.
The DOC on Tuesday did not provide comment on PLS' allegations regarding the Behavioral Assessment Unit or K2.
Reporter Irene Rotondo contributed to this story.
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