The Iowa Department of Corrections today revealed a man serving a life sentence at the Iowa State Penitentiary died on October 30th, 10 days after he was hospitalized from an “altercation” with a fellow inmate.
Rebecca Bowker, spokesperson for the prison in Fort Madison, identified the inmate who died as 46-year-old Michael Whitworth. The other inmate involved in the incident is 35-year-old Lha Southideth-Whiten.
“Michael Whitworth was serving a life sentence out of Marion County for kidnapping. His sentence began in October 2005. Southideth-Whiten was serving a 45 year sentence for four counts (Polk County); robbery first-degree, firearm possession by a felon, and two counts of prohibitive acts, manufacturing drugs,” Bowker said.
No workers at the prison were injured in the incident. Bowker says officers witnessed what happened, but she declined to provide more details.
“It was in a visible area and staff were award that it happened,” Bowker said. “I can’t comment on the details of the incident. It remains under investigation and it has been referred to the county attorney’s office for prosecution.” Bowker would not say if there was a weapon involved.