by Newtown, Connecticut—State correction officials are investigating the deaths of three inmates across two Connecticut prisons within a single week, raising renewed scrutiny over inmate health and safety inside state-run facilities.
The Connecticut Department of Correction confirmed that the deaths occurred at Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown and MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield. All three incidents are now under review by multiple oversight agencies.
Inmate Found Unresponsive at Garner Correctional Institution
One of the inmates who died was Andrey Desmond, who was serving a five-year sentence for an assault involving Maryam Khan, a Connecticut state representative.
According to correction officials, Desmond was found unresponsive in his cell on February 1 at Garner Correctional Institution. Medical staff responded, but lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful.
DOC officials have not released Desmond’s cause of death, stating that the matter remains under investigation.
“Any death in custody is taken seriously and undergoes a thorough review,” officials said.
Second Death Follows Hospitalization and Return to Custody
Another inmate, 50-year-old Clemente Giusto, was also found dead inside his cell, according to DOC officials.
Giusto had been hospitalized in mid-January and released approximately one week later. Just two days after his discharge, he was hospitalized again and remained under medical care until Thursday.
DOC officials said Giusto returned to the correctional facility late Thursday night. At approximately 2 a.m. Friday, about four hours after his return, staff responded to an emergency medical code at his cell.
Paramedics were called to assist medical personnel, but Giusto was pronounced dead roughly 30 minutes later.
Giusto had been incarcerated since late November 2025 and was awaiting trial on charges related to a protective order violation.
Read Also: Six Months Later, Texas Flood Victim Still Missing as Camp Lawsuit Moves Forward
Third Death Reported at MacDougall-Walker Facility
The third inmate death occurred at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, where 40-year-old Taveras Noe was found unresponsive in his cell on February 1.
Noe, a Florida native, was serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree manslaughter and had been incarcerated since March 2010, according to DOC records.
Officials said emergency medical aid was attempted, but Noe was pronounced dead at the scene.
Multiple Agencies Reviewing the Deaths
The Connecticut Department of Correction confirmed that all three deaths are being actively investigated. In addition to DOC’s internal review, the cases have been referred to:
- Connecticut State Police
- Office of the State Inspector General
Officials emphasized that these reviews are standard procedure whenever a death occurs in state custody.
“Transparency and accountability are essential whenever a person dies while incarcerated,” DOC officials stated.
Commissioner Addresses Families and Public Concerns
DOC Commissioner Angel Quiros issued a statement offering condolences to the families of the deceased inmates.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of those who passed away,” Quiros said. “The safety, health, and well-being of individuals under DOC supervision remain a fundamental priority.”
Quiros added that the department is cooperating fully with all investigations and will review any findings to determine whether changes to medical care or procedures are needed.
Questions Raised Over Inmate Health Monitoring
The deaths, particularly Giusto’s passing shortly after returning from hospitalization, have raised questions about medical oversight and post-hospital monitoring within correctional facilities.
Advocates say inmates with recent medical issues may require closer observation, especially during transitions back into custody.
“Any time someone dies shortly after medical treatment, it warrants careful examination,” one corrections oversight advocate noted.
What Comes Next
Officials said additional details, including causes of death, will be released once medical examiner reports and investigations are complete.
For now, DOC officials stress that no foul play has been confirmed, and each case is being evaluated individually.
As the investigations continue, families and the public await answers surrounding how and why three inmates died in Connecticut custody within a single week.
What measures do you think should be taken to improve inmate medical care and oversight? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
