Federal Inmate's Death Under Investigation

February 13, 2008 - 4:08 PM

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has ordered an investigation into the death of an inmate at the penitentiary in Beaumont.

According to a news release from the Bureau of Prisons, an inmate was found unresponsive in his cell at about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. The staff provided medical attention and the inmate was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 a.m.

An autopsy has been ordered. The Bureau of Prisons isn't releasing the inmate's name until it notifies relatives.

The Bureau says the penitentiary is on lockdown because of a previous, unrelated incident.

According to the Bureau, the institution is secure, all inmates have been accounted for and there is no threat to public safety.