Inmate dies at Florence prison

An inmate at Eyman prison in Florence died after an apparent act of selfharm by hanging on Friday.

Prison staff found Jason Rothlisberger, 45, unresponsive in his housing location at Eyman prison, according to a statement from the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry.

Rothlisberger was pronounced dead after prison staff and responding paramedics gave him CPR, the statement said.

Rothlisberger was admitted into the Corrections Department in 2017 after he was sentenced in Pinal County for molestation of a child and eight counts of sexual conduct with a minor, according to authorities.

Rothlisberger’s death — and all inmate deaths — are investigated in consultation with the County Medical Examiner’s Office, the statement said.

The number of inmate deaths during the 2021 fiscal year, as of March 31, is 123, according to data from the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry. Among the deaths, seven were caused by suicide.

Services for Arizonans in crisis

Dial 2-1-1 to reach 211 Arizona. The ● same number will connect callers to Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling Program.

The National Suicide Prevention ● Line is available 24/7 at 1-800-2738255 in English and 1-888-628-9454 in Spanish. It’s free and confidential for those in distress who need prevention or crisis resources for themselves or loved ones.

La Frontera Empact Suicide Prevention ● Center’s crisis line serves Maricopa and Pinal counties 24/7 at 480-784-1500.

Arizona Coalition to End Sexual & ● Domestic Violence: 602-279-2980. Text 911 if you cannot speak. ● Teen Lifeline’s 24/7 crisis line ● serves teens at 602-248-8336 for Maricopa County and 1-800-248-8336 statewide.

The Trevor Project Lifeline serves ● LGBTQ youth at 866-488-7386.