​Coal Township, PA –Thomas McGinley, superintendent of the State Correctional Institution at Coal Township, reported that inmate Andrew Shawgo, 24, was found unresponsive in his cell on February 9, 2024. Prison staff immediately responded and provided life-saving measures until facility medical personnel arrived. Shawgo was transported by EMS to Geisinger Medical Center. Shawgo was pronounced deceased at 9:50 p.m. on February 12, 2024.  

Shawgo was serving a 4-to-8-year sentence for Terroristic Threats - § 2706 a(1) on an  Venango County conviction. He arrived at SCI Coal Township as a parole violator on June 29, 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 Northumberland County Coroner's Office. 

The deceased's next-of-kin has been notified.

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Corrections Media Contact Details

Ryan Tarkowski

Communications Director
Department of Corrections Media

Maria Bivens

Press Secretary
Department of Corrections Media