HUNTINGDON, PA — An inmate at the State Correctional Institution at Smithfield died earlier this month after being found unresponsive in his cell, triggering a state police investigation, prison officials said.
Kenneth Shea, acting superintendent at SCI Smithfield, said inmate Derek Bowser, 36, was discovered unresponsive on Friday, January 16. Prison staff immediately began life-saving measures until facility medical personnel arrived. Bowser was transported to Penn Highlands Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:21 p.m., according to the Department of Corrections.
Bowser had been serving a sentence of seven months to two years for recklessly endangering another person following a conviction in Clearfield County. He arrived at SCI Smithfield on December 18, 2025.
In line with state policy, the Pennsylvania State Police were notified and will conduct an investigation into the death. The official cause will be determined by the Huntingdon County Coroner’s Office.
Prison officials said Bowser’s next of kin has been notified.
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