Bellefonte, PA- State Correctional Institution at Benner Township, Superintendent Robert Marsh reported that inmate Derric Harsh, 23, was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 11:54 PM on February 27, 2019.
Prison staff immediately responded and provided life-saving measures until facility medical personnel arrived.
Harsh was transferred to Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College where he was pronounced dead at 1:08 AM. The local coroner and Pennsylvania State Police were notified. The official cause of death will be determined by the Centre County Coroner's Office.
Harsh was serving an 8-year-to-16-year sentence for rape out of Lancaster County. He has been housed at Benner Township since February 2, 2017.
Facility staff has notified the inmate's next-of-kin.
Media contact: Holly Quist (814) 353-3630
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