GBI Investigates Inmate Death in Stephens County Detention Center

By Jessica Waters, WNEG Radio

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the death of an inmate this week at the Stephens County Detention Center.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, the inmate passed away Monday night.

In a press release, the Sheriff said “The jail nurse was evaluating an inmate housed in the Stephens County Jail and during this time, the inmate began to lose consciousness.”

Jail staff immediately contacted 911 Dispatch.

He said that while being checked by the jail medical nurse, the inmate went into cardiac arrest. The on-duty nurse and jail staff began administering life-saving techniques including CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), but despite all the efforts by medical and jail staff, the inmate was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Shirley said that SCSO policy requires that all in-custody deaths be investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and he said the GBI has been contacted regarding the August 5 death.

On Tuesday, the Stephens County Coroner’s Office transported the body of the inmate to the GBI Crime Lab.

Stephens County Coroner Chris Stephens told sister station WNEG that “it will probably be 60-90 days before he gets any results back from the autopsy.”

Shirley said the name of the inmate would not be released pending notification of the inmate’s next of kin.

We will continue to follow this story and bring you any updates as they become available.