Authorities in Kentucky say an inmate has died after collapsing while shoveling snow at a state prison — and his family is now demanding answers about why he was working outdoors during dangerously cold conditions.
The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet confirmed that Marvin Knuckles died Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in West Liberty. According to officials, Knuckles was part of an inmate work crew assigned to clear snow and ice from the prison grounds when he fell and suffered a head injury.
Prison staff rushed Knuckles to Appalachian Regional Hospital in West Liberty, where he was pronounced dead around 7:30 a.m., officials said.
State police were notified of the death, as required under Department of Corrections policy, and an internal review has been launched.
“This tragic accident is one that we work to avoid each day as we protect those in our custody,” Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Knuckles and to our correctional staff. We will conduct a thorough review of this situation to better prevent this from happening again.”
Knuckles was serving a 12-year sentence for drug-related offenses, including trafficking and possession of a controlled substance, as well as tampering with physical evidence out of Madison County, officials said.
But his family says the circumstances surrounding his death raise troubling questions.
In an interview with a local NBC affiliate, Knuckles’ sister, Rita Alexander, said the family was shocked to learn he had been shoveling snow in the early morning hours — especially as state officials had urged residents to stay indoors due to extreme cold and icy conditions.
“I want to know why my brother was out at one something in the morning shoveling ice when it was below zero,” Alexander said. “And why was he around a cliff where he could fall off?”
Alexander said the family received little information from prison officials and instead learned most details from the coroner.
“He told me my brother was pronounced dead at 7:39 and that he only had one injury above his eye,” she said. “He also mentioned something about a steel rod and said my brother fell over a 40-foot embankment.”
Alexander accused the facility of negligence, arguing inmates should never have been working under those conditions.
“Even if my brother died from shoveling snow, it was neglect to have him or any other inmate out there at one in the morning below zero,” she said. “Around a cliff, no fence, no safety gear — it makes no sense.”
The Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, which opened in 1990, is a medium-security facility that houses nearly 2,000 inmates.
Knuckles’ death came as Kentucky was reeling from Winter Storm Fern, which dumped snow and ice across much of the state. Parts of eastern Kentucky saw significant icing, while several cities reported multiple inches of snow. As of Wednesday, Gov. Andy Beshear said storm-related deaths in the state had risen to 11.
State officials have not yet released further details about the incident, and the family says they are still waiting for answers.
We are not in prison and we have to shovel snow