Somerset, PA – Ken Hollibaugh, superintendent of the State Correctional Institution at Somerset, reported that inmate James Brown, 49, was found unresponsive in his cell on July 1, 2025. Prison staff and medical personnel immediately responded to the scene and provided life-saving measures until EMS arrived at the facility. Inmate Brown was pronounced deceased at 3:00 a.m.
Brown was serving a 3-year, 6-month to 8-year sentence for Pa.C.S.A.18.6105.a1 Persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms from Westmoreland County. He had been at SCI Somerset since Nov. 21, 2023.
In accordance with state policy, Pennsylvania State Police were notified and will conduct an investigation. The official cause of death will be determined by the Somerset County Coroner’s Office.
The deceased’s next-of-kin has been notified.
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