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Investigators identify New Hampshire Secure Psychiatric Unit resident who died after altercation with officers

Officials say Jason Rothe died after physical altercation with officers

Investigators have revealed new details about the death of a resident at the Secure Psychiatric Unit on the campus of the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord.Jason Rothe, 50, died Saturday afternoon after what officials with the attorney general’s office called a “physical altercation” with several correctional officers. After the altercation, Rothe was unresponsive, and officers attempted CPR, officials said. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.An autopsy was done Sunday, and officials said the cause and manner of Rothe’s death are inconclusive and are “pending further investigation,” officials said. Officials with the New Hampshire Department of Corrections released a statement about Rothe’s death:”The Department of Corrections strives to provide adequate and appropriate care to all residents regardless of their history. Any death of a resident under the care and custody of the Department is a tragedy and the Department extends its sympathy to the family of Mr. Rothe. “The Department of Corrections is cooperating with the investigation by the New Hampshire Department of Safety Division of State Police and the New Hampshire Department of Justice. On Saturday afternoon, the Department of Corrections placed the officers involved in the use of force on administrative leave pending review. “The Secure Psychiatric Unit is a separate and independent facility on the campus of the New Hampshire State Prison established under commitment statutes to provide involuntary treatment to those persons when an independent entity determines ‘that the person would present a serious likelihood of danger to himself or to others if admitted to or retained in a receiving facility in the state mental health services system.’ Statutes that reference admission criteria to the SPU include NH RSA 622:45, RSA 171-B, RSA 135-C, RSA 135-E, and RSA 651:9-a. The NH Department of Corrections operates the SPU pursuant to and in accordance with RSA 622:45, RSA 622:52, and N.A. Admin R. Cor 504, et seq.”

Investigators have revealed new details about the death of a resident at the Secure Psychiatric Unit on the campus of the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord.

Jason Rothe, 50, died Saturday afternoon after what officials with the attorney general’s office called a “physical altercation” with several correctional officers.

After the altercation, Rothe was unresponsive, and officers attempted CPR, officials said. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

An autopsy was done Sunday, and officials said the cause and manner of Rothe’s death are inconclusive and are “pending further investigation,” officials said.

Officials with the New Hampshire Department of Corrections released a statement about Rothe’s death:

“The Department of Corrections strives to provide adequate and appropriate care to all residents regardless of their history. Any death of a resident under the care and custody of the Department is a tragedy and the Department extends its sympathy to the family of Mr. Rothe.

“The Department of Corrections is cooperating with the investigation by the New Hampshire Department of Safety Division of State Police and the New Hampshire Department of Justice. On Saturday afternoon, the Department of Corrections placed the officers involved in the use of force on administrative leave pending review.

“The Secure Psychiatric Unit is a separate and independent facility on the campus of the New Hampshire State Prison established under commitment statutes to provide involuntary treatment to those persons when an independent entity determines ‘that the person would present a serious likelihood of danger to himself or to others if admitted to or retained in a receiving facility in the state mental health services system.’ Statutes that reference admission criteria to the SPU include NH RSA 622:45, RSA 171-B, RSA 135-C, RSA 135-E, and RSA 651:9-a. The NH Department of Corrections operates the SPU pursuant to and in accordance with RSA 622:45, RSA 622:52, and N.A. Admin R. Cor 504, et seq.”