State of Connecticut Department of Correction

Contact: Office of Public Information Director of External Affairs: Brian Garnett Public Information Officers: Andrius Banevicius or Michelle Altomare Telephone: (860) 692-7780 Fax: (860) 692-7783

For Immediate Release

Inmate Death under Investigation March 27, 2012
The inmate involved in an apparent suicide at the Cheshire Correctional Institution on Monday, March 26, 2012 is identified as Philip Richardson, 55 of Middletown. At approximately 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2012, inmate Richardson observed in his cell with a piece of bed sheet tied around his neck. The other end of the sheet was secured to the window bars in the cell. He was the only inmate in the cell at the time. Correctional and medical staff immediately initiated emergency and life saving measures. The inmate was transported to Bradley Memorial Hospital in Southington where he was pronounced dead at approximately 11:40 a.m. He was serving an 18 year sentence for Manslaughter in the First Degree. He had most recently entered the system in June of 2005. The exact manner and cause of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiners Office. The Department of Correction Security Division and the Connecticut State Police are investigating the death.

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