Denver sheriff says jail overcrowding was not a factor in inmate’s death

Joseph Rios

Jul. 11, 2017, 4:33 p.m.

Yesterday morning, the Denver Police Department announced that an inmate died inside the Denver City Jail. Now Sheriff Patrick Firman, who oversees the jail, has released a statement regarding the death of 42-year-old William Anderson.

“The incident that occurred at the Downtown Detention Center this morning remains under investigation and there are limited details that can be shared at this time,” Firman said.

“However we can confirm that the facility was appropriately staffed and the housing unit where the incident occurred was below capacity.”

According to a statement from Denver’s Office of the Medical Examiner, officials conducted an autopsy on Anderson’s body. The cause and manner of the death will be determined following an investigation.

“Employees and the inmates who witnessed the incident have been offered wellness assistance and we will continue to support their well-being,” Firman said.

Anderson was pronounced dead on scene. Yesterday, police announced they were treating the case as a homicide and that it involved a fight between two inmates.

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