In three separate incidents
over a six-month period in 2007, Joe
Kapa Jr., Joe Holguin and Clifford
Finney hanged themselves in the prison’s
restricted housing unit, where inmates
are confined in their cells for 23 hours
a day. Their loved ones claim that
corrections officers either killed or
assisted in the suicide of the men, who
were just months from finishing their
sentences.
“One death is too many, but
three deaths raises alarms that demand
serious scrutiny and investigation by an
independent agency such as the Attorney
General’s Office,” Washington said. “The
investigations by the Superintendent
Palakovich’s office and the Pennsylvania
State Police will not suffice.”
The senator is also
concerned because two of the inmates’
bodies were cremated before their
families had an opportunity to retrieve
their remains.
An independent investigation may allay
the public’s concern that prison
officials are trying to cover up
misconduct by prison guards against
inmates, Washington said.
“The public deserves the right to know
the facts surrounding the deaths of
these inmates and to also know what
protocols will be put in place to ensure
that there are no further incidents
occurring in our state correctional
facilities,” Washington said.
# # #
EDITOR’S NOTE: A copy Sen. Washington’s
letter is attached
January 21, 2008
The Honorable Thomas W. Corbett
Attorney General, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania
6th Floor, Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Dear General Corbett:
I am writing to you regarding a matter
of great urgency. I am requesting the
Office of the Attorney General to launch
a special investigation into the deaths
of three inmates at the State
Correctional Institution at Smithfield,
in Huntingdon County.
I am deeply concerned about the three
inmates that have died at Smithfield,
all within the past year, and all ruled
suicides by Superintendent John
Palakovich. One death is too many; but
three raises alarms that demand serious
scrutiny and investigation by an
independent agency such as the Attorney
General's office. The investigations of
these deaths by the Superintendent
Palakovich's office and the Pennsylvania
State Police will not suffice. The
families of these men, as well as the
public, need to know that the
investigations are impartial and
independent. This can only be achieved
by an independent body. An investigation
by your office may allay the publics'
concern that prison officials are trying
to cover-up misconduct by prison guards
against inmates.
In addition to questions about the
inmate suicides, I have great concern
about why two of these inmates' bodies
were cremated before their families had
an opportunity to retrieve their
remains. These kinds of actions by
prison officials heighten suspicion
among family members and the public. I
believe the public deserves the right to
know the facts surrounding the deaths of
these inmates and to also know what
protocols will be put in place to ensure
that there are no further incidents
occurring in our state correctional
institutions.
