A Department of Corrections investigation into last April’s inmate death at the Anchorage jail indicates a drug overdose.
36-year-old Brian Pinkerton was found unresponsive in his cell early on April 21 and was soon pronounced deceased. He had been in custody for over three months for probation violations and criminal charges. The department’s internal investigation shows Pinkerton died from a combined use of methamphetamine and heroin, according to Department spokesperson Corey Allen-Young. Pinkerton had signs of recent intravenous drug use on his arms and had heroin in a small pouch stored in his rectal cavity.
The investigation is ongoing, Young said. “We’re looking at staff, other inmates, how the drugs came into the institution, how it made it to Mr. Pinkerton.”
Young said Pinkerton did suffer from a long-term medical condition, but a full medical examination the day before his death indicated he was well enough to be part of the general jail population.
The death investigation falls under the department’s new Professional Conduct Unit. Young said the unit was formed earlier this year to examine problems within the DOC, such as how drugs are getting into the different facilities, and look at ways to improve the department. The unit currently has more than 50 investigations underway and will be expanding from one investigator to three.
Last month the unit worked with the FBI and the US Attorney’s office to investigate and charge a corrections officer at Goose Creek for allegedly bringing drugs into the correctional center.
Anne Hillman is the healthy communities editor at Alaska Public Media and a host of Hometown, Alaska. Reach her at ahillman@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Anne here.
