© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Two Health Workers Suspended Amid Prison Death Investigation

Photo of prison blocks
Wikimedia Commons

Authorities say two health care workers at a prison in southern Michigan are suspended amid a state police investigation into the death of an inmate.

The Detroit Free Press reports 37-year-old John Richard Stein was given CPR on Sept. 5 and taken to a hospital from Cotton Correctional Facility near Jackson. An autopsy was conducted and cause of death is pending.

Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz says a nurse employed by the department and a nurse practitioner employed by contractor Corizon Health Inc. received "stop orders" banning them from prison property pending the outcome of the police investigation.

Corizon spokeswoman Martha Harbin says the company would cooperate with police and undertake an internal investigation.

Stein had convictions for weapons possession by a prisoner, home invasion and stalking.

Related Content
Support Local Journalism in Mid-Michigan

Help WKAR reach 200 donations by June 20 to fund more of the fact-based reporting mid-Michigan relies on. When we hit the goal, MSU Federal Credit Union will unlock a $10,000 gift in support of your public media station.

Be one of the 200. Give now.