Inmate found dead in Cumberland maximum security prison cell

Earlier today, law enforcement officials in Maryland announced that there is an active investigation looking into the death of a state prison inmate in Allegany County. The inmate has been identified as 80-year-old Ralph Ruark.

Ruark was declared dead by emergency medical service personnel on June 22. He was a state prison inmate serving time at the Western Correctional Institution, which is a maximum-security facility in Cumberland.

Ruark’s remains were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine the cause and manner of death.

At 4:10 p.m. yesterday, the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was contacted by investigators from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Unit (DPSCS IIU) about an inmate death that occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit is leading the investigation. Assistance is being provided by State Police crime scene technicians and investigators with the DPSCS Internal Investigative Unit.  Upon completion, the investigation will be presented to the Allegany County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.

Police say that investigation into the death of Ralph Ruark remains ongoing.

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(Cover photo:  By Maryland GovPics – Western Correctional Institution)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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