Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Department of Corrections today announced the death of a detainee at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield, Vt.
Dennis Mayotte, 37, of North Springfield, Vt., was lodged at SSCF on October 26, 2023. On Sunday afternoon, November 5th , staff performed a cell check and discovered Mayotte was not breathing. Department and medical staff immediately began life-saving measures and called for emergency medical services (EMS). Life-saving efforts, including CPR and the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator, were unsuccessful. Emergency Medical Technicians pronounced him dead at approximately 13:10.
Per Department protocol, the Department is conducting internal administrative and medical reviews following this critical incident. The official cause of death will be determined by the Vermont State Medical Examiner.
The Department 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 Department administrative and medical reviews. The Department’s Peer Support Team is available for SSCF staff.
Mayotte was lodged on charges of Arson – 1 st Degree, Unlawful Trespass – Land, Unlawful Mischief > $250, and Reckless Endangerment. He was ordered held without bail. He has had intermittent contact with the Department dating back to 2006. ###