On Wednesday, October 29, John Sawtelle, superintendent of the State Correctional Institution at Albion, reported that a 25-year-old inmate, Andy Ortiz was found unresponsive in his cell.
Staff responded and administered lifesaving measures before facility medical personnel had arrived. The lifesaving efforts were continued in an effort to save Ortiz until external EMS personnel arrived and took over. Ortiz was pronounced dead at 12:18 a.m.
Ortiz had been convicted of Unlawful Contact with a Minor in Philadelphia County and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections at SCI Phoenix on June 27, 2022. Ortiz had been at SCI Albion since February 19, 2025.
In compliance with state policy, the Pennsylvania State Police have been notified, and an investigation will be conducted where the official cause of death will be determined by the Erie County Coroner’s Office.