Incarcerated Eastern Kentucky man dead after injuring head on work detail

Marvin Knuckles, 48, was eligible for parole in 2028, according to his online inmate profile. (Getty Images)

The incarcerated man in Eastern Kentucky who died Tuesday after injuring his head while on a snow and ice removal detail had volunteered for the work,  a corrections spokeswoman said. 

Marvin Knuckles, 48, was eligible for parole in 2028, according to his online inmate profile.

Knuckles, who was incarcerated at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex on drug charges, was part of a “work crew of inmates” that was “removing snow and ice debris on facility grounds prior to the start of regular inmate movement” early on Tuesday morning, according to the Justice and Safety Cabinet. 

During that work, the cabinet said, he fell and injured his head. He died at Appalachian Regional Hospital in West Liberty around 7:30 a.m. 

Cabinet spokeswoman Morgan Hall said Tuesday night Knuckles was assigned to an outside detail unit “for good behavior.” 

“Inmates assigned to this unit outside the prison fence are provided opportunities to work several jobs,” she said. Knuckles worked on the tree farm, road crew and special details.  

“When asked who was able to help with the special assignment of ice removal, Knuckles volunteered to assist,” Hall said. 

A winter storm hit Kentucky over the weekend, with some areas getting 13 inches of snow. In Eastern Kentucky, the National Weather Services reports about 3-4 inches of snow. 

Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson said in a statement that “we will conduct a thorough review of this situation to better prevent this from happening again.”

“This tragic accident is one that we work to avoid each day as we protect those in our custody,” Jackson said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Knuckles and to our correctional staff.” 

This story may be updated. 

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX