Snake River Correctional Institution Reports Inmate Death

Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Unit is conducting an investigation.

Inmate Michael Teves was discovered deceased in his cell. Photo: OSP/SRCI

(ONTARIO, Ore.) - An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) inmate died unexpectedly early Thursday morning at the Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., Thursday, February 25, staff responded to the cell where inmate 22-year old Michael Teves was assigned. Upon arrival, medical staff determined that he was deceased.

Michael Teves entered DOC custody on November 6, 2014, on one count of assault in the second degree out of Lane County. His earliest release date was about 10 months from now, December 9, 2016.

As with all unanticipated deaths in state prisons, the Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Unit is conducting an investigation.

Next of kin has been notified. Officials are offering no other details at this time.

SRCI (Snake River Correctional) opened in 1991, and is the largest correctional institution in the state. This multi-custody prison is in Eastern Oregon (Ontario), and houses about 3,000 male inmates.