A man incarcerated at the Fountain Correctional Facility died on July 4. APR has learned that the number of incarcerated individuals who reportedly died so far this year is higher than previously thought.
Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) confirmed to APR that Linzel Sykes III is the individual who was pronounced deceased. ADOC issued this statement regarding Sykes’ death.
“On July 4, 2023, an inmate death was reported at Fountain Correctional Facility. Inmate Linzell Sykes, III, was discovered intoxicated. He was taken to the Health Care Unit for medical assessment and treatment. He was then placed under observation. He was later found in distress. Medical staff responded and administered life-saving procedures. Unfortunately, they could not resuscitate him, and he was pronounced deceased.”
Another incident reportedly occurred the same day at the Donaldson Correctional Facility after an incarcerated individual was assaulted and stabbed by another incarcerated person. The circumstances regarding the altercation are allegedly gang-related according to sources.
The individual stabbed was life-flighted to a local hospital for further treatment. APR is not disclosing his identity as he recovers. ADOC’s Law Enforcement Services Division is investigating both incidents.
Previously, APR reported that approximately close to 62 incarcerated people had died. However, according to ADOC’s latest quarterly report from March 31, ADOC had already opened investigations into over 80 deaths from January to March alone.
This means that the actual number of deaths that have occurred this year is likely well into the 100s now.
