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Vermont DOC Reports Death of Incarcerated Individual at Springfield Hospital

Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) is conducting internal administrative and medical reviews following the death of an incarcerated individual on Sunday.  

Henry Butson, 74, died at Springfield Hospital after being admitted to the emergency department early Sunday, January 1. He was transferred from the Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) infirmary to the Springfield emergency department via ambulance after experiencing cardiac and respiratory issues.  

DOC notified Vermont State Police and the Defender General’s Prisoners’ Rights Office of the death per state law and protocol. These entities will conduct separate investigations into the death in conjunction with the Vermont DOC’s administrative and medical reviews. The DOC Peer Support Team is available for SSCF staff. Victim’s Services have also been deployed for support. 

The circumstances surrounding Mr. Butson’s death are not considered suspicious at this time.  

Mr. Butson had been incarcerated since 2003 and was serving 25 years to life for two counts of second-degree murder.

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