Death of inmate reported

The death of an inmate at the state correctional institution at Frackville has been reported by Robert Collins, superintendent.

Collins said corrections officers found Frank Bonita Jr., 52, unconscious in his cell at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28. The officers provided immediate emergency first aid until medical personnel arrived. Bonita was then taken to St. Catherine's Hospital, Ashland, where he was pronounced dead at 1:50 p.m.

State police at Frackville are investigating the death and an autopsy has been ordered by the Schuylkill County coroner's office.

Bonita was serving a one year, five months to six years sentence for receiving stolen property on a Lackawanna County conviction. The term began Oct. 28, 2009. He had been at the Frackville prison since Jan. 26, after being returned to prison as a parole violator.