SENNETT - The state Commission of Corrections has initiated its investigation into the heroin death of a Cayuga County jail inmate Sunday.
A representative from the state agency visited the jail Tuesday to review whether proper procedures and policies were followed involving the death of Jimmy C. Hernandez, 37, who died from a heroin overdose. His wife has been charged with smuggling him the drug.
The state investigation is "normal procedure" following a jail death, said Sheriff Rob Outhouse. It may take six months to complete, he said. The Commission of Corrections oversees county jails.
The inmate's wife, Marylin Garcia of 68 Osborne St., passed the heroin to her husband during a kiss in the jail's visitation room Saturday, Outhouse said. Hernandez was found dead in his bunk from the overdose. An autopsy report hasn't been completed.
Hernandez shared the heroin with four other inmates who were hospitalized. An unidentified inmate remains in critical condition in Auburn Memorial Hospital.
Garcia, 52, a cafeteria worker at the Genesee Street Elementary School, was charged with first-degree promoting prison contraband and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. She was arrested at the sheriff's department in Sennett and remains in the county jail in lieu of $2,500 cash and $5,000 bond bail.
The investigation is still continuing and other possible charges are pending.
Outhouse said procedures for Garcia's visit were followed and "everything is operating fine." The sheriff will review procedures to see if any improvements must be made. No matter what procedures are in place, Outhouse emphasized that all jail contraband cannot be prevented.
Garcia went through a metal detector and left her belongings in another room, Outhouse said. She was also searched before and after the visit.
As permitted by the Commission of Corrections, inmates are allowed to hug and kiss at the beginning and end of the hour-long visit.
Garcia sat on one side of a horseshoe-shaped desk and Hernandez on the other as a guard in the room watched them, Outhouse said.
All visitations have been canceled until further notice. Jail trustees, however, have returned to working in food preparation in the jail kitchen and other distribution programs in the facility, Outhouse said.
The inmate still hospitalized was found unconscious in his bunk before Hernandez was discovered. Hernandez could not be revived. The other three inmates showed symptoms of taking the drug, but were conscious.
The state investigation is "normal procedure" following a jail death, said Sheriff Rob Outhouse. It may take six months to complete, he said. The Commission of Corrections oversees county jails.
The inmate's wife, Marylin Garcia of 68 Osborne St., passed the heroin to her husband during a kiss in the jail's visitation room Saturday, Outhouse said. Hernandez was found dead in his bunk from the overdose. An autopsy report hasn't been completed.
Hernandez shared the heroin with four other inmates who were hospitalized. An unidentified inmate remains in critical condition in Auburn Memorial Hospital.
Garcia, 52, a cafeteria worker at the Genesee Street Elementary School, was charged with first-degree promoting prison contraband and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. She was arrested at the sheriff's department in Sennett and remains in the county jail in lieu of $2,500 cash and $5,000 bond bail.
The investigation is still continuing and other possible charges are pending.
Outhouse said procedures for Garcia's visit were followed and "everything is operating fine." The sheriff will review procedures to see if any improvements must be made. No matter what procedures are in place, Outhouse emphasized that all jail contraband cannot be prevented.
Garcia went through a metal detector and left her belongings in another room, Outhouse said. She was also searched before and after the visit.
As permitted by the Commission of Corrections, inmates are allowed to hug and kiss at the beginning and end of the hour-long visit.
Garcia sat on one side of a horseshoe-shaped desk and Hernandez on the other as a guard in the room watched them, Outhouse said.
All visitations have been canceled until further notice. Jail trustees, however, have returned to working in food preparation in the jail kitchen and other distribution programs in the facility, Outhouse said.
The inmate still hospitalized was found unconscious in his bunk before Hernandez was discovered. Hernandez could not be revived. The other three inmates showed symptoms of taking the drug, but were conscious.
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