Man dies while being booked at Anchorage jail, matching Alaska’s 2023 inmate toll in 6 months

The beforehand doors for nan eastbound helping of nan Anchorage Correctional Complex (Zachariah Hughes/Alaska Public Media)

A decease astatine nan Anchorage jailhouse Wednesday has brought nan state’s situation strategy to 10 inmate deaths successful nan first half of this twelvemonth – nan aforesaid number it saw successful each of 2023.

Anchorage constabulary announced nan man’s decease successful a little statement Wednesday morning, which did not place him.

Here’s what constabulary opportunity happened:

Officers responded conscionable aft 3:30 a.m. Wednesday to reported vandalism of nan Alaska Backpackers Inn and vehicles parked adjacent connected Eagle Street successful downtown Anchorage. The fishy ran into nan woods, but officers soon took him into custody. 

Just aft officers took nan fishy into nan booking area astatine nan Anchorage jail, constabulary said he “went into aesculapian distress.” Police said officers began CPR. Then unit pinch nan Department of Corrections took over. Overdose-reversing Narcan was administered. Medics pinch nan occurrence section besides responded “and continued nan lifesaving measures,” nan constabulary connection said.

“Ultimately nan antheral was declared deceased,” constabulary said. 

RELATED: ‘I deliberation it’s wrong’: Alaska ACLU seeks accountability for authorities inmate deaths

A constabulary spokeswoman declined to reply questions astir nan incident, citing an ongoing investigation. Corrections unit were gathering accusation Wednesday astir what happened.

The Department of Corrections’ online records show 9 2024 inmate deaths truthful acold this year. The past decease listed was that of serial slayer Joshua Wade – who died June 14 astatine property 44 arsenic he was being held successful an Indiana prison, aft a woody successful which he asked to beryllium transferred to an Outside facility.

RELATED: Republican lawmakers abruptly cancel proceeding connected Alaska situation deaths complete ineligible concerns

Wednesday’s decease brings this year’s full among Alaska inmates to 10, the aforesaid number of deaths nan authorities situation strategy saw during each of 2023. The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska has questioned some DOC’s handling and reporting of inmate deaths, suing nan state complete James Rider’s decease by termination successful 2022. That year, a grounds 18 group died while successful Alaska Department of Corrections custody.

The astir caller decease besides comes astatine a governmental turning constituent for Anchorage police, conscionable a time aft Mayor-Elect Suzanne LaFrance announced that Deputy Chief Sean Case will lead nan force starting adjacent week. Case will switch Bianca Cross, who was named chief by outgoing Mayor Dave Bronson conscionable earlier a bid of officer-involved shootings this summer.