Two incarcerated individuals died and one correctional officer was revived with Narcan Thursday after suspected fentanyl overdoses at the Whalley Avenue jail.
The state Department of Correction (DOC) broke that news in an afternoon press release.
According to DOC Public Information Officer Andrius Banevicius, a correctional officer at the New Haven Correctional Center (NHCC) at 245 Whalley Ave. “was conducting a routine tour [on Thursday] and observed two individuals, within the same cell, unresponsive.”
Correctional and medical staff initiated life saving measures, including CPR and the administration of Narcan, according to the release. They also called 911.
One of the incarcerated individuals was transferred to Yale New Haven Hospital’s St. Raphael campus, where he was pronounced deceased.
The second incarcerated individual was pronounced deceased at the Whalley Avenue jail by the responding emergency medical technician.
The release also states that “one Correctional Officer exhibited symptoms of fentanyl exposure and Narcan was administered. Currently, he [is] recovering at the hospital.”
“The names of the incarcerated individuals are not being released at this time, pending notification of family.
“The exact manner and cause of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The Department of Correction Security Division, the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crimes, and the Inspector General’s Office have been notified and are on scene. Any further questions should be directed to the Connecticut State Police office of the PIO.”
Can you pick up enough fentanyl from giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to need Narcan? Or was something far more sketchy going on?