Internal investigation underway after inmate death at Central MS Correctional Center

The head of Mississippi’s prison system says he has started an internal investigation into the death of an inmate.

Ronald Frederick Apgar died Friday at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. He was 39-years-old.

Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain says an employee at the front gate of the prison has been banned and officials are investigating the response time to Apgar’s death.

He says results will be turned over to the Rankin County District Attorney.

Apgar was serving 12 years for grand larceny and false pretense after being sentenced in 2018 in Harrison County.

The Department of Corrections says at least 16 Mississippi inmates have died this year.