The death of an inmate who collapsed while shoveling snow at a Kentucky prison is now under investigation.
Marvin Knuckles, 48, was clearing snow and ice at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning when he fell down a 40-foot embankment. Officials said Knuckles was part of a work crew preparing the facility grounds ahead of regular inmate movement. He was transported to Appalachian Regional Hospital in West Liberty, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 a.m.
Kentucky Justice and Safety Cabinet officials confirmed the incident, noting that Knuckles was performing assigned duties at the time of the fall.
“This tragic accident is one that we work to avoid each day as we protect those in our custody,” said Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Knuckles and to our correctional staff. We will conduct a thorough review of this situation to better prevent this from happening again.”
Kentucky State Police are handling the investigation, which is standard procedure for the Kentucky Department of Corrections when an inmate dies while in custody.
During Thursday’s Team Kentucky press briefing, Governor Andy Beshear addressed the incident and pledged full transparency throughout the investigation.
“I’m concerned any time we lose someone who is in state custody, whether inside a corrections facility or outside of it,” Beshear said. “KSP is investigating, and there will be a full review and evaluation by the Justice Cabinet. I don’t know the facts firsthand, but I want to be sure the complete truth comes out and that everything is fully transparent. Decisions made, good or bad, deserve to be seen by the family and the public.”
Investigators will also examine whether prison safety procedures and protocols were followed at the time of the incident.
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