SOMERSET – A homicide investigation is underway after an inmate was found dead inside his prison cell Tuesday at the State Correctional Institution at Somerset.
Officials said Wednesday that homicide charges have been filed against another inmate, Dale Wakefield, in the death Joshua Perry.
Authorities said Wakefield and Perry – both 25 - were in the same cell together when the incident happened.
According to a criminal complaint, Perry was found under his bed in his cell with his hands tied around his back and a sheet around his neck.
“Wakefield has a conviction record to include first-degree murder, attempted murder and escape, among other things," Somerset County District Attorney Lisa Lazzari-Strasiser said at a news conference.
Wakefield also is charged with assault by a life prisoner and aggravated assault.
His preliminary hearing is set for noon on Jan. 18.
Allen Joseph, a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections public information officer, said an exhaustive review of policies and procedures will now take place at the prison.
"When an incident such as this occurs, the Dept. of Corrections takes action to respond to the immediate incident in a professional and comprehensive manner," he said.
When an inmate dies, Joseph said the prison has protocol to follow.
"We reach out to the family of the victim to offer our condolences, support and information consistent with an ongoing investigation," he said.
The prison also agrees to work with state police and the Somerset District Attorney's Office to achieve a successful legal resolution to the alleged crime.
"We conduct an internal review of policies and procedures related to the incident to affirm compliance with those policies and procedures and determine if any changes need to be considered to our practice and procedure," Joseph said.
Joseph said he believes the last homicide that happened at SCI-Somerset was in the '90s.
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