Prison inmate found dead

Friday, July 23, 2004 | 10:58 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A 49-year-old inmate was found dead today, prison officials said, in an apparent suicide at the High Desert State Prison north of Las Vegas, which went into lock-down last week after a fight in the prison yard that killed one prisoner.

Pablo Palacious used his T-shirt to hang himself from his bed, prison officials said. The state Department of Corrections said there were no signs of foul play.

His body was found at 1 a.m. during the count of the prison. The state Division of Investigations is investigating the incident.

Palacious had been sentenced to four consecutive terms of five to 16 years for two counts of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon in Clark County.

He had been received by the prison one month ago and was being evaluated and classified as to what programs he would be assigned.

The High Desert prison was the scene of a racial brawl last week that left one inmate dead and three injured.

Jackie Crawford, director of the state Department of Corrections, said there is "controlled movement" now at the prison, which was in lock-down. She said prisoners are gradually being released for showers and eating in the mess hall. Some visitation will be allowed this weekend, she said.

Each inmate is being interviewed before he is allowed movement out of his cell.