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Suicidal Inmate’s Letters Not Found Until After His Death

Associated Press0

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — State prison officials say they didn’t know about an inmate’s pleas for help until after he was killed in an apparent assisted suicide.

The comments come after a judge criticized the Corrections Department during a Monday sentencing for placing two suicidal inmates in the same cell.

Judge Susan Sabers sentenced 29-year-old Douglas Ipsen to 20 additional years in prison for killing cellmate Kent Davidson at the State Penitentiary.

The Argus Leader reports ( ) court records indicate Ipsen gave prison staff a letter from Davidson the day of his death saying he was suicidal and was “taking it into my own hands.” Davidson also wrote another letter intended for his family that explained what to do with his possessions.

Corrections Secretary Denny Kaemingk says the letters were found after Davidson’s death.

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Information from: Argus Leader,

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