Snake River inmate dies of apparent natural causes
An Oregon Department of Corrections inmate died Monday afternoon of apparent natural causes at Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario, officials said.
As with all deaths in state prisons, the Oregon State Police Criminal Investigation Division is conducting an investigation.
Around 2:15 p.m., Mark Buckner, 56, stated he wasn’t feeling well to his cellmate, who alerted SRCI staff. Security and medical staff began life-saving efforts, to no avail. He was pronounced deceased at 2:30 p.m.
Buckner entered DOC custody on November 3, 2011, on five counts of sodomy in the first degree, 20 counts of sexual penetration in the first degree, and one count of sex abuse in the first degree out of Clatsop County. His earliest release date was April 26, 2058.
Next of kin has been notified. No other details are available at this time.
SRCI is a multi-custody prison in Ontario that houses approximately 3,000 male inmates. SRCI has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, intensive management, infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care, and an administrative segregation unit.
SRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including a contact center, laundry, and sign shop. SRCI specializes in incentive housing, specialized housing, inmates with mental health/medical vulnerabilities, education and trades programs, cognitive and parenting programs, and institution work programs. SRCI opened in 1991 and is the largest correctional institution in the state.
