Spokane jail has seventh inmate death in 14 months

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – Another inmate has died at the Spokane County Jail.

The latest case occurred early Thursday morning, after an inmate reported trouble breathing and then died shortly after at the jail.

The inmate is the seventh to die at the jail in the past 14 months. The jail contains more than 600 inmates.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office reports the deceased inmate was involved in a fight with another inmate shortly before he reported trouble breathing.

The name of the dead inmate has not been released. He was being held on two felony charges, awaiting trial and had been in custody for almost two years.

The sheriff’s office is investigating the death.

Officials for Spokane County say they are studying the rash of deaths and looking for ways to prevent them.