Security lapses lead to fatal fentanyl overdose of Steve Delgado at Hilo Community Correctional Center

Hilo Community Correctional Center faces scrutiny following the fatal fentanyl overdose of inmate Steve Delgado.

The director of the state prison system pointed to apparent security lapses as the reason for the fatal fentanyl overdose of Steve Delgado at Hilo Community Correctional Center.

The state Department of Corrections has identified the deceased inmate as 56-year-old Delgado, whom authorities recently arrested for burglary and theft.

Izaiah Shields, who successfully hid the drugs inside his body despite numerous searches, including the use of X-rays, appears to have smuggled in the fentanyl that caused Delgado’s death.

Shields, making his first court appearance from jail on Monday, was implicated in the overdose incidents that claimed the lives of two cellmates, including Steve Delgado.

Hawaii Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson addressed state senators in a briefing on Monday, stating that he believed there were various breakdowns during the incident.

According to court records, Shields was flagged as a potential drug suspect by police on December 29 at Kona airport. Subsequent to obtaining a warrant, an x-ray at Kona Hospital revealed a condom containing drugs in his anus.

Although removed six days later at Hilo Community Correctional Center, Shields reportedly still possessed enough of the drug to share with his cellmates.

Additionally, according to Johnson, Moriah Goulette, Shields’ girlfriend, had a condom of fentanyl in her mouth at the jail that went unnoticed by the authorities.

He mentioned that the courthouse should have conducted a search of the cellblock before their arrival. Following the initial incident, upon their approach, a white powdery substance was discovered in the van. It was supposed to undergo searches both before every transport and immediately after each transport.

Following the overdose incident, Shields underwent another x-ray at Hilo Hospital, but the contraband went undetected.

Eventually falling ill, Shields vomited up the contraband. Both Shields and Goulette face multiple drug charges and prison contraband charges and are being held without bail pending preliminary hearings.

Expressing a desire for x-ray machines at all correctional facility intake areas, Johnson acknowledged financial constraints, stating that affording the machines, let alone the professionals needed to interpret the scans, would be challenging.

Source: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/01/09/corrections-head-screenings-x-rays-failed-prevent-fatal-jail-overdose/