Death of Inmate Who Died in Fishkill Prison Ruled a Homicide

The death of former Kingston resident, Samuel Harrell, who died at Fishkill-Correctional Facility in April has been ruled a homicide. 

The Orange County medical examiner performed the autopsy, and concluded that Harrell, 30, had no illicit drugs in his system, and had cuts and bruises to his head and extremities following an altercation with correctional officers, as reported by the Daily Freeman.

Harrell was serving an eight year sentence, after being convicted in 2014.

The Correctional Association of New York called for expanded federal investigation of the state prison system. The Justice Department is currently investigating multiple New York prisons, where several prisoners have reported beatings.

The guards’ union says it’s reviewing the facts and violence against officers is at a record high.