HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Maryland State Police are investigating the death of an inmate who was found with apparent stab wounds inside the Maryland Correctional Training Center in Hagerstown late Monday.
The inmate, whose name has not been released pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced dead by emergency medical services personnel at the prison, according to Maryland State Police.
At approximately 10 p.m. on Sept. 21, investigators with the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Unit contacted the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit about the inmate's death.
A preliminary investigation indicates the inmate was found suffering from apparent stab wounds on a tier inside his housing unit.
State Police homicide investigators responded to the facility, along with crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
No suspect publicly identified
Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect or announced an arrest in connection with the death.
State Police have also not released information about what may have led to the incident or whether investigators have identified a possible motive.
The inmate's identity has continued to be withheld while authorities work to notify family members.
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services described the incident as a suspected homicide in a statement reported Wednesday.
Department says housing unit was fully staffed
The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services said the housing unit where the incident occurred was fully staffed at the time.
According to the department, four correctional officers wearing body cameras were assigned to the unit under the staffing plan established by the department and the union.
Officials said officers assigned to other tiers also responded after staff became aware of the incident.
The department said the case is being investigated by Maryland State Police and its Intelligence and Investigative Division.
The department has not publicly released body-camera footage or additional details about what officers observed before or after the inmate was found.
Investigation centered at Hagerstown facility
The Maryland Correctional Training Center is a state prison located on Roxbury Road in Hagerstown.
The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services lists the facility as housing people at medium, minimum and pre-release security levels.
The prison opened in 1966 and is part of the cluster of state correctional facilities in the Hagerstown area.
Maryland State Police are leading the death investigation, with forensic personnel processing the scene and collecting evidence.
What happens next
Investigators have not announced when additional information will be released.
The next major developments could include identification of the deceased inmate, an autopsy determination, the identification of a suspect or the filing of criminal charges.
For now, authorities have confirmed only that the inmate was found with apparent stab wounds, was pronounced dead at the facility and that the case is being treated as an active homicide investigation.
The American Desk will update this story as additional information is released by Maryland State Police or the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.