Police are probing the death of an inmate at a New York prison while 11 staff members are placed on administrative leave

An investigation is underway after 22-year-old inmate Messiah Nantwi died at a New York State prison, with 11 staff members placed on administrative leave. Nantwi was awaiting trial for two murders and already serving a five-year sentence for a previous crime. His death comes after six prison officers were charged in the beating death of another inmate at a nearby facility. The Department of Corrections has notified the Attorney General’s office and state police to determine the cause of Nantwi’s death. Advocates are calling for transparency and justice in the case, as they believe Nantwi was entitled to basic human dignity. This incident is not seen as isolated, with ongoing strike actions affecting New York prisons despite a recent deal between Governor Hochul and the prisons trade union. The corrections department has declined to comment on the case. The circumstances surrounding Nantwi’s death are being investigated by state police in collaboration with the Department of Corrections. Patrick Smith, a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital, contributed to this report.

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