CORCORAN – Officials at California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran (SATF) are investigating the death of a 33-year-old inmate as a possible homicide.
On June 21, inmate James Jackson was pronounced dead at 9:08 p.m. at an outside hospital. He was being treated for injuries received on June 1 when he was attacked by another inmate and fell, hitting his head. The incident happened on SATF’s Facility C recreation yard. After prison staff discovered him to be unresponsive, Jackson was transported by ambulance to an area hospital.
Jackson was received from San Bernardino County Oct. 19, 2017 with a 21-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter. He received an enhancement to his sentence for use of a firearm.
Kenneth Johnson, 34, has been identified as the suspect. He is being housed in the Short Term Restricted Housing Unit at California State Prison, Corcoran.
Johnson was received from Los Angeles County with a 20-year sentence for two counts of attempted second-degree murder. He received enhancements to his sentence for use of a firearm and participating in a street gang act.
The Kings County District Attorney’s Office is assisting in the investigation. The Office of Inspector General was notified.
SATF opened in Kings County in 1997 and houses Level II, III and IV inmates. The institution specializes in substance abuse treatment, houses more than 5,400 inmates and employs nearly 2,000 people.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 25, 2019
Contact: Lt. Eric Smith (559) 992-7154
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