Skip to main content

PRESS RELEASE: Third COVID-19 Related Incarcerated Death at Airway Heights

Released February 2, 2021

Contact DOC COVID-19 Media Inquiries, (425) 754-4939

Department of Corrections

TUMWATER – On February 2, 2021, an individual incarcerated at Airway Heights Corrections Center in Airway Heights, Wash., passed away at a community healthcare facility due to COVID-19. The individual’s next of kin and/or attorney has been provided notification of the individual’s passing.

The Washington State Department of Corrections offers its condolences to the family and friends of the decedent and remains committed to continue science-based health practices and following the established COVID-19 screening, testing and infection control guidelines (pdf) as the department works to contain and mitigate any spread of the virus.

As of February 1, Airway Heights Corrections Center has had 238 COVID-19 cases in the last 30 days among the incarcerated population. As of December 31, 2020, Airway Heights Corrections Center has a total capacity for 2,172 individuals and an average daily population of 1,926.

Today’s death represents the eleventh COVID-related death of an incarcerated individual in the custody of the Washington State Department of Corrections. The department houses approximately 15,000 incarcerated individuals in its system. Additionally, two Washington State correctional officers have died of COVID-19.

The health and safety of staff and those sentenced to the department’s custody remains the department’s top priority. The department remains committed to mitigating, containing and ceasing any spread of COVID-19.