An inmate at the State Correctional Institution at Smithfield was found dead in his cell last week, according to prison officials. Jeffrey Bell Jr, 38, was serving a sentence for obstructing law when he was discovered unresponsive on March 31. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The superintendent of SCI Smithfield, Chad Wakefield, reported on the incident, noting that Bell had been at the institution since October 10, 2023. After finding Bell, prison staff and medical personnel attempted to provide life-saving measures quickly. Bell was then transported to Penn Highlands Hospital, where he was declared dead. Details surrounding his death have not been immediately made available.
In line with protocol, Pennsylvania State Police have been notified and will handle the investigation to determine the circumstances of Bell's death. Additionally, the Huntingdon County Coroner's Office will be responsible for determining the official cause of death.
The deceased's family has been informed of the tragic event. Bell's sentence, originating from a Clearfield County conviction, was relatively short, lasting from 9 months to 2 years. The story was first reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. We will continue to update the story as more information becomes available.