Six Deaths at SSCF in 2022: High Death Rate in VT Prisons Leading to Investigation

By Layla Kalinen
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Since February 2022 there have been six deaths at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF). Statewide, according to Matthew Valerio of the Vermont Attorney of the Defender General prison deaths, suicide and self harm have climbed into the double digits.

According to officials, nothing suspicious was outrightly discovered and these six deaths account for about one-third of the statewide deaths of incarcerated individuals, which is at more than 18 deaths, suicides and self harming incident. This is compared to no deaths in 2021 and the first death prior occurred in 2019.

Prison officials have long struggled with staff shortages, and according to Valerio, the pandemic has also played a role in the increase of the deaths, especially the two who died from suicide.

Valerio stated that both the Vermont Office of the Defender General and the Vermont Department Of Corrections are forming a joint investigation.

Valerio said he anticipates some struggles between the two departments but is optimistic about finding new ways to care for the incarcerated, especially the elderly and mentally disabled.

Valerio said as they investigate these deaths they are looking into trying to change the release dates for people who have served good time, not a threat to themselves or society and looking for better release dates based on age, health issues and COVID numbers.

The first death, according to the DOC press release website, happened in February 2022.

“On the morning of February 22, 2022, Raymond Gadreault, 73, of Melborne, Fla., died at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield. SSCF staff found Mr. Gadreault in his cell experiencing a medical issue; staff called for medical staff and rescue services as Mr. Gadreault became unresponsive. Staff and EMS responded to the scene and began resuscitative efforts.”

EMS arrived to assess an assist in live saving protocol.

“MS contacted the Emergency Department and they officially called the time of death. The official cause of death will be determined by the Vermont State Medical Examiner, but at this time it is not considered suspicious or related to the ongoing COVID-19 cases within SSCF,” officials wrote.

This would be the first of many deaths that Valerio said caused a joint investigation between DOC and The Attorney General’s Office that they started to connect a formed midsummer and joint investigation between the Attorney General’s Office in a joint investigation based on the unusual level of statewide prison deaths.

Thu, 04/28/2022 — 12:00

“Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Department of Corrections is conducting an internal review, to include administrative and medical reviews, following the death of an incarcerated individual at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield on Thursday,” officials wrote.

Matthew Castellini, 35, of White River Junction, was found unresponsive by Vermont DOC staff at approximately 6:00 AM on April 28, 2022. Correctional and medical staff first responders began life-saving efforts and called for outside medical assistance. Castellini was pronounced deceased at the facility. The official cause of death will be determined by the Vermont State Medical Examiner but, at this time, the cause is suspected to be suicide.

According to the release, “The Vermont DOC Peer Support Team is on site at the facility to support SSCF staff.”

Castellini was lodged at SSCF in December 2021 on a violation of probation charge and was also facing new unadjudicated charges.

Wed, 05/18/2022 — 12:00

Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Department of Corrections is conducting internal administrative and medical reviews following the death of an incarcerated individual on Monday.

David Goldstein, 56, of Barre City, was found in medical distress in his cell at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield early Monday morning. Vermont DOC staff provided first response medical care and called for medical transport to the hospital. Mr. Goldstein was treated throughout the day. Shortly after 4:00 PM, Mr. Goldstein’s condition deteriorated and he was pronounced dead by medical staff. An autopsy is underway to confirm the official cause of death.

Vermont DOC notified the Defender General — Prisoners’ Rights Office of the death per state law and protocol. Springfield Hospital notified Vermont State Police.

The Vermont DOC Peer Support Team is on site at the facility to support SSCF staff.

Mr. Goldstein was lodged at SSCF in 2018 for Violation of Furlough Conditions. He was previously released on furlough while serving a sentence for 2012 offenses including: Identity Theft, Possession of Child Pornography, and Promoting Sexual Recording. The count continues.

Mon, 08/29/2022 — 12:00

Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Department of Corrections is conducting internal administrative and medical reviews following the death of an incarcerated individual on Sunday.

Ronald Roy, 71, of New Hampshire, was found unresponsive in the infirmary unit at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield mid-afternoon Sunday. Vermont DOC staff immediately called for emergency medical services and both DOC and medical staff provided life-saving measures. EMS arrived on site and pronounced Mr. Roy dead a short time later.

Mr. Roy was housed in the infirmary unit at the time of death.

Vermont DOC notified both the Vermont State Police and the Defender General — Prisoners’ Rights Office.

The Vermont DOC Peer Support Team is on site at the facility this week to support SSCF staff.

Mr. Roy was lodged at SSCF in 2020 on federal charges. Vermont DOC has also notified the United States Marshals Service of his death.

Tue, 10/25/2022 — 12:00

Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC) is conducting internal administrative and medical reviews following the death of an incarcerated individual on Tuesday.

Dan Griswold, 67, of Rutland, Vt., was found unresponsive in his cell at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield Tuesday morning. Vermont DOC and medical staff immediately provided life-saving measures and called for emergency medical services. EMS arrived on site and, in consultation with Springfield Hospital medical professionals, pronounced Mr. Griswold dead a short time later.

Mr. Griswold was housed in a general population unit at the time of his death.

“I mean it’s been devastating,” Matthew Valerio said in an interview with Aiden Scanlon with Fox 44. “People in custody in Vermont prison are spending longer periods of isolation and lockdown, and it has a devastating impact on their mental health.”

Griswold who died in August received a life sentence in 1998 for aggravated sexual assault.

Vermont DOC notified Vermont State Police and the Prisoners’ Rights Office of the death per state law and protocol. These entities will be conducting separate investigations into the death in conjunction with the Vermont DOC’s administrative and medical reviews. The Vermont DOC Peer Support Team is providing services to SSCF staff.

Mr. Griswold was lodged in 1998 on a 40-years-to-life sentence for aggravated sexual assault.

The last most recent death was at the end of November according to both VSP and DOC Press releases.

The last death in Springfield is somewhere between 18-20 prison death’s statewide.

Wed, 11/30/2022 — 12:00

Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC) is conducting internal administrative and medical reviews following the death of an incarcerated individual on Wednesday.

Charles Mould, 74, of Bennington, Vt., was found unresponsive in his cell at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield Wednesday morning. Vermont DOC and medical staff called for emergency medical services. EMS arrived on site and pronounced Mr. Mould dead a short time later. The official cause of death will be determined by the Vermont State Medical Examiner but is not considered suspicious at this time.

Mr. Mould was housed in the infirmary unit at the time of his death.

According to the DOC Website he might be the catalyst in having prisoners’ health situations and rights investigated.

Officials said nothing was suspicious in any of the deaths on initial investigation.

But the joint commission will continue investigating.

Vermont DOC notified Vermont State Police and the Prisoners’ Rights Office of the death per state law and protocol. These entities will be conducting separate investigations into the death in conjunction with the Vermont DOC’s administrative and medical reviews. The Vermont DOC Peer Support Team is available for SSCF staff.

Mr. Mould was lodged in 2008 and sentenced in 2009 to 40-years-to-life on multiple charges related to sexual offenses, including aggravated sexual assault – repeated, aggravated sexual assault on a victim less than 10 years old, and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.