Josh Devine
Joshua Devine, 30, died on April 7, 2017, in a fire in his cell at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. His sister Krystal Devine described him as someone who looked very much like her, and said she misses her brother. Officials at first said he had reportedly started the fire, and the fire marshal later ruled it accidental, tracing it to electrical problems. Court filings and depositions say other prisoners yelled for officers for about 30 minutes, that staff did not use keys or extinguishers to free him, and that his cell door was not opened until nearly an hour after the fire began. The state and several employees deny these allegations, and the family's federal lawsuit was settled for nearly $4 million.
Cause of death, as reported: Died in an accident (disputed; neglect alleged). The fire marshal ruled the fire accidental, but his family's lawsuit says staff did not free him and left him trapped in his cell for nearly an hour while other prisoners yelled for help.
Reported by: fire marshal; his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued in federal court over the fire at Indiana State Prison, and the state settled the lawsuit for nearly $4 million; the settlement terms in another account are not public.
Sources (6)
- Inmate killed in fire at Indiana State Prison
- State settles lawsuit over 2017 inmate death at Indiana State Prison
- Indiana settles death of inmate who burned alive in his cell in 2017 for nearly $4 million
- Another inmate seriously injured in fire at Indiana State Prison | 13 Investigates
- Burned Alive: Records show dozens of recent fires at Indiana State Prison, prompting more calls for action
- Burned Alive: Indiana Department of Correction takes drastic action following epidemic of fires at state’s oldest prison