County reports fifth jail suicide since 2014

BRIDGETON - A Cumberland County Jail inmate apparently committed suicide Monday night, according to a county official.

Deputy Administrator Kim Wood said the victim died Monday evening at the jail. The inmate's identity and details of the incident have not been released.

County officials said the death is under investigation internally at the jail and with the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office.

Jail warden Richard Smith did not immediately return requests for comment Thursday. County prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae declined comment.

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Monday’s death marks at least the fifth suicide at the jail since 2014, with the others leading to litigation against the jail, its former warden Robert Balicki and the county.

Each lawsuit made similar claims – that the jail allegedly failed to properly screen its inmates for suicidal tendencies and also did not adequately monitor them during their incarceration.

Each of the other four inmates died by hanging themselves. They include David Hennis, Alissa Allen, Robert Lewis and, most recently, Jon Watson.

Daniel J. Kov; (856) 563-5262; dkov@gannettnj.com