Family seeks answers into death of inmate at Osborn Correctional Institute

The family of a Connecticut inmate who died Sunday while incarcerated is demanding answers about the cause of his death, as officials investigate the sixth inmate fatality in the state’s correctional facilities in the past two months.

Craig Whyte, 45, died after he was found unresponsive during a routine cell check at Osborn Correctional Institution, according to the Connecticut Department of Correction. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Whyte was serving a 33-month sentence and was scheduled to be released in October, his family said.

His mother, Pauline Jackson McHayle, said she initially thought her son was calling her when she received the phone call on Sunday.

“When I saw the number, I thought it was Craig calling me,” she said. “The person on the line said we had a medical emergency, we took him to the hospital, and he didn’t make it.”

Jackson McHayle said the family has not received information about what caused her son’s death.

“Somebody coming in well, positive, healthy and strong, and you get a call that the person is dead and you don’t know what happened,” she said. “That’s what we want to know.”

She described her son as a strong, healthy man and said his death has devastated the family.

“Remember, we are all humans, and it’s somebody’s child,” she said.

Whyte’s brother, Garvey Grant, said the family is concerned not only about their loss but also about conditions for others in custody.

“We’re not only concerned for our brother, we’re concerned for all the other people that’s incarcerated,” Grant said. “It’s a big issue.”

Whyte’s sister, Latoya Thomas, said she would not rest until she finds out what happened to her brother.

“I’m not going to feel comfortable until I know what happened to my brother,” Thomas said.

The Department of Correction said the death remains under investigation. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is expected to determine the cause of death.

Whyte’s death is the sixth reported in Connecticut correctional facilities in the past two months.

His family said they have retained an attorney as they seek answers.