An inmate at the State Correctional Institution at Forest was found unresponsive in his cell and later pronounced dead, triggering a state police investigation, authorities said Tuesday. Nicholas Haluschak, Jr., 43, was discovered by prison staff who quickly attempted life-saving measures before EMS arrived, but Haluschak did not survive. The incident occurred on May 9, and he was declared dead at 9:37 a.m. that day, State Correctional Institution Forest Superintendent Randy Irwin reported.
Haluschak had been serving a 3-to-6-year sentence for a burglary conviction from Fayette County. His sentence, specifically for Burglary-Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present 18.3502.a2, began when he arrived at the facility on June 20, 2023, corrections officials said. The ongoing investigation into Haluschak’s death will be overseen by Pennsylvania State Police, as per state policy following in-custody deaths.
The official cause of death for the inmate awaits determination by the Forest County Coroner’s Office. The coroner will conduct an autopsy as part of their process to uncover the precise circumstances surrounding Haluschak’s death. Authorities have not yet speculated publicly about possible causes, including foul play or a medical emergency.
Information on the incident was kept brief, with a formal statement issued by the Department of Corrections available on the Pennsylvania Government Website. "In accordance with state policy, Pennsylvania State Police were notified and will conduct an investigation," detailed the press release, indicating standard protocol in the wake of such incidents. Families and related parties are typically notified in due course as investigations proceed.
The state's Department of Corrections has not yet provided additional comments on the matter. As officials continue to piece together the events leading up to Haluschak's final moments, the community awaits answers into the demise of a man whose time in the penal system was cut tragically short.
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