Inmate’s death ruled a suicide
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — An investigation into the suicide of an Aroostook County Jail inmate has concluded.
According to Chief Deputy Sheriff Darrell Crandall of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department the investigation into the death of Kirk Sharp, 31, whose most recent residences included Castle Hill and Mars Hill, revealed the inmate committed suicide.
“The Medical Examiner’s Office, in concert with the Maine State Police, have ruled the cause of death as hanging, and the manner of death as suicide,” Crandall said.
Sharp was in custody after he was arrested in Mars Hill in late August following a domestic issue. He was found hanging by a bed sheet in his cell by corrections officers. He was alone in the locked cell at the time.
The Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) completed its required review of the jail employees’ actions before and after the incident, as well as jail training records. MDOC reported to the Sheriff’s Office that inmate intake forms were completed properly, that inmate checks met or exceeded jail standards, that requisite training records were in compliance and that all notifications were made according to protocols. There were no deficiencies noted in the report.
“These situations are difficult for everyone involved; the family of the deceased, the staff and other inmates,” Crandall said. “While suicides are extremely rare at the Aroostook County Jail, suicide attempts and threats are not uncommon. When these issues arise, jail staff utilizes outside resources to have inmates evaluated for treatment.”
Because the death occurred inside the jail, the Sheriff’s Office requested that the state police conduct an investigation into the manner and cause of death.
“We also welcomed and cooperated fully with the MDOC review,” Crandall added. “We believe it is critical for the public to see that an independent investigation of the death was undertaken as well as an independent review of relevant jail procedures. We commend our dedicated staff for doing all they could under difficult circumstances.”
