Inmate dies after fall while at Eastern Kentucky prison

WEST LIBERTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — An inmate at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex died early Tuesday after falling and suffering a head injury while clearing snow and ice at the facility, state officials said.

The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet identified the inmate as Marvin Knuckles, who was part of a work crew removing snow and ice debris on prison grounds before the start of regular inmate movement. During the work, Knuckles fell and was injured, according to the Department of Corrections.

Correctional staff immediately transported him to Appalachian Regional Hospital in West Liberty, where he died at about 7:30 a.m. EST, officials said.

“This tragic accident is one that we work to avoid each day as we protect those in our custody,” Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson said in a statement. He added that the cabinet extends its condolences to Knuckles’ family and correctional staff and will conduct a review to help prevent similar incidents.

As required by Department of Corrections policy, the death has been reported to the Kentucky State Police.

Knuckles was serving a 12-year sentence for drug-related offenses out of Madison County, including trafficking and possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.

The incident remains under review.