An Investigation is Underway Following the Death of a Louisiana State Penitentiary Inmate

The Louisiana Department of Corrections and the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office have launched a joint investigation into the death of 45-year-old Louisiana State Penitentiary inmate Robert Clark Jr.

At approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday, while making routine rounds, correctional officers responded to an altercation between Clark and three other inmates. The officers were able to regain control of the situation. Prison medical staff immediately began treatment on Clark, and he died a short time later.

Clark was serving a life sentence for the 2018 murder of Louisiana State Penitentiary inmate Dolan Franklin at the prison. Prior to the murder conviction, he was serving a 75-year sentence for armed robbery in Bossier Parish.

An autopsy will be performed this week. Possible criminal charges are pending the outcome of the investigation and the autopsy. As this is an ongoing investigation, no further details are available at this time.