FOLSOM – California State Prison, Sacramento (CSP-SAC) officials are investigating the death of an inmate as a homicide. On Thursday, Aug. 23 at approximately 7:15 a.m., Thomas Putney was discovered unresponsive in his cell. Custody staff immediately began life-saving measures, transporting Putney to the prison’s Central Health Building. Putney was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m.
Officials have identified Putney’s cellmate, Kioki Snowden, as a suspect. Snowden has been placed in the administrative segregation unit. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office is assisting CSP-SAC officials in the investigation. The Office of the Inspector General has been notified.
Thomas Putney, 49, was serving a life with parole sentence out of Fresno County for manufacturing, sale and possession of a weapon as a third-striker.
Snowden, 23, was received by CDCR in August 2014 with a life with parole sentence out of Los Angeles County for rape, kidnapping, and second degree robbery.
Activated in 1986, CSP-SAC is a high-security prison that houses more than 2,100 general population inmates and employs about 1,700 people. The institution houses long-term inmates, inmates requiring specialized mental health programming, and inmates with high-risk medical concerns.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2018
Contact: Lt. LeVance Quinn
(916) 294-3012
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