A 33-year-old inmate, Segundo Gamboy Guaranda, was found dead in his cell at the New Haven Correctional Center on April 16. The Inspector General’s report concluded that Guaranda’s death was a suicide, and the Department of Correction (DOC) was negligent in monitoring his cell.

Investigation Findings

The Inspector General’s investigation found that Guaranda had been facing felony charges of first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child. He had expressed concerns about his safety to a counselor in October, but was not found to have suicidal ideation at the time.

A note found in Guaranda’s cell after his death claimed that his cellmate had extorted him out of over $5,000 in exchange for not revealing his charges to other inmates. The cellmate had been transferred to another prison the day before Guaranda’s death.

The Inspector General’s report stated that the DOC was negligent in monitoring Guaranda’s cell, but there was no evidence of criminal activity involved in his death. The report also noted that Guaranda’s death raises significant questions about whether criminal responsibility could be imposed on anyone in this situation.

Response from the Department of Correction

The DOC released a statement thanking the Inspector General for his investigation and stating that they take the wellbeing of all individuals under their supervision seriously. The department is reviewing the findings to strengthen their policies and practices.

Guaranda’s lawyer, William Gerace, described him as a decent individual who was facing a lengthy prison sentence and deportation. Guaranda’s brother, Wilson, said he was shocked by his brother’s death and would never have suspected that he would take his own life.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.