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| Inmate's Death is Fifth Suicide at Pa. County Prison This Year |
| By Wilkes-Barre Citizen's Voice |
| Published: 06/10/2003 |
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A 26-year-old Wilkes-Barre man who was incarcerated on charges that he injured two people in a drunk driving accident last month took his own life May 2 in his jail cell. Luzerne County Prison Warden Gene Fischi confirmed that corrections officers found inmate Paul Martin Vander Molen, 26, dead in his cell at 11:25 a.m. The warden said Vander Molen had used a bed sheet to asphyxiate himself. An autopsy was performed by Luzerne County Coroner Dr. George Hudock Jr., who determined the manner of death to be suicide. 'This was surprising, because there were no red flags and no history of psychological problems,' commented Fischi. 'I don't know of any reason why he would want to harm himself.' Vander Molen, who was alone in his cell, was last seen by a corrections officer making rounds approximately 25 minutes before the inmate was found dead. The warden explained that corrections officers are required to make two rounds per hour at staggered intervals. He said an internal investigation showed that proper procedure was followed by prison personnel, and that the district attorney's office was also probing the incident. Vander Molen had been lodged since May 9, when he was jailed for parole violations in connection with a previous conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol. Dr. Hudock said Vander Molen's death marked the fifth suicide at LCCF this year. 'I think it's just overwhelming,' said Dr. Hudock. 'This is the most suicides in prison I've seen in my 30 years as coroner.' Fischi said two of the recent suicides were young inmates who were heroin addicts. The warden noted that sometimes inmates become upset by events happening outside the prison - perhaps a letter containing bad news or an inmate's inability to reach someone by telephone - and prison personnel aren't aware of possible depression. 'What bothers me most about this is that someone outside may have known something and didn't let us know,' said Fischi. 'I want the general public to know that if they have any concerns about an inmate showing signs of depression or acting in an unusual manner they should notify us.' Fischi admitted that he is concerned by the recent suicides, and that he is considering instituting a program that would pay inmates to help patrol the cellblocks. The warden said such a program exists in the Lackawanna County Jail. |
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