Ravenna, Ohio – A 42-year-old inmate died Sunday night after being found unresponsive inside her cell at the Portage County Jail.
According to the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, corrections staff discovered the inmate, identified as Pauline Ferrell, during a routine security check at approximately 8:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Officials said staff immediately initiated basic and advanced life-saving measures while responding medical personnel were called to the facility. Despite those efforts, Ferrell was ultimately pronounced deceased.
The Portage County Sheriff’s Office said the in-custody death is now under investigation, and no additional details about the circumstances surrounding the incident have been released.
Authorities did not specify how long Ferrell had been housed at the facility or what charges, if any, she was facing at the time of her death.
The Portage County Jail is located at 8240 Infirmary Road in Ravenna and houses inmates awaiting trial, sentencing, or transfer to other facilities.
Officials said the investigation remains ongoing, and further information will be released if it becomes available.
In-custody deaths are typically reviewed through internal procedures and may involve additional oversight depending on investigative findings.
The case may also draw attention from students and young workers studying criminal justice or corrections, as jail safety procedures and medical response protocols are often closely examined following such incidents.
Authorities have not announced whether an autopsy or external review will be conducted.
More updates are expected as investigators determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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