Houtzdale, PA – David Close, superintendent of the State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale reported that inmate Justin Johnson, 35, was found unresponsive in his cell on July 12, 2025. Prison staff immediately responded and provided life-saving measures until emergency medical personnel arrived. Johnson was pronounced deceased at 8:04 p.m.
Johnson was serving a 5-year-to-10-year sentence for Burglary on a Clearfield County conviction. He has been at SCI Houtzdale since June 14, 2022.
In accordance with state policy, the Pennsylvania State Police were notified and will conduct an investigation. The official cause of death will be determined by the Clearfield County Coroner’s Office.
The deceased’s next of kin has been notified.
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