Coronavirus Deaths: Louisiana Reports First Death Of Inmate In Federal Prison System

A 49-year-old federal inmate died Saturday of COVID-19, marking the first U.S. prison fatality of the virus.

Patrick Jones had been serving a 27-year-sentence in Oakdale, Louisiana, for selling crack cocaine near a junior college. At least four other prisoners at the facility have tested positive for coronavirus as cases skyrocket across all of Louisiana.

Jones was first diagnosed on March 19 after developing a “persistent cough.” The following day, he was put on a ventilator after his condition worsened. The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Jones had suffered from “long-term, pre-existing medical conditions,” but did not specify what the conditions were.

“The situation is just going to get worse and worse as time goes on,” Ronald Morris, maintenance supervisor for the facility and the president of the local prison worker union, told NBC News. “The level of anxiety and fear among our staff is increasing daily.”

The Bureau of Prisons has reported that 14 inmates and 13 workers at its 122 institutions across the U.S. have tested positive for COVID-19.

Attorney General William Barr has urged the Bureau of Prisons to consider releasing high-risk prisoners with the virus to home confinement for two weeks.

The system currently houses roughly 175,000 inmates.