RICHMOND COUNTY, Va. -- One inmate has died and seven others were treated after a spate of suspected overdoses at a Virginia prison for men in Richmond County. The overdoses were discovered at the Haynesville Correctional Center around 7:15 p.m. Saturday, according to Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC) Director Harold Clarke.
"Six of the eight offenders at Haynesville Correctional Center suspected of having overdosed yesterday have been released from the hospital," Virginia Department of Corrections spokesperson Lisa Kinney said. "Five of the offenders were sent to Riverside Tappahannock Hospital last night and two were sent to Rappahannock General Hospital. One offender remains at Riverside Tappahannock Hospital."
The deceased inmate was pronounced dead at 8:32 p.m. Saturday.
"The offender’s death appears to be the result of a suspected overdose; a medical examiner will determine cause of death," Kinney added. "It is unknown at this time what may have caused the suspected overdoses at the Haynesville, Virginia prison. Visitation is canceled [Sunday] at Haynesville Correctional Center and Haynesville Correctional Unit 17."
All hospitalized inmates were released on Wednesday.
Haynesville Correctional Center is a Security Level 2 prison located in rural Richmond County, which is just over an hour from the City of Richmond.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can submit a news tip here.
