Prisoner At Suffield Facility Dies Due To Coronavirus

SUFFIELD, CT — A prisoner treated at the MacDougall-Walker Medical Isolation Unit has died due to coronavirus, according to the Connecticut Department of Correction . The 47-year-old prisoner, whose name was not released, died Thursday.

The prisoner last entered the Connecticut correctional system March 28, 2019, and was serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence for sale of hallucinogen /narcotic substances and assault of public safety personnel.

He had recently been cleared to be released on a reentry furlough prior to his death.

He was transferred from the MacDougall-Walker Medical Isolation Unit to another hospital Nov. 28, where he succumbed to his illnesses.

"It’s never easy to lose a loved one, but it is even harder when the loss comes around the holidays. My sincere condolences go out to his family," said Commissioner Designate Angel Quiros. "I am committed to continuing the fight against the spread of this virus in any way I can."

The Department of Correction has increased the frequency of its mass testing efforts with staff being tested weekly, and the inmate population biweekly, according to a statement.