WEST LIBERTY, Ky. (Jan. 27, 2026) - The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet is reporting today that Marvin Knuckles died early this morning while removing snow and ice debris at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex.
The Department of Corrections states that a work crew of inmates was removing snow and ice debris on facility grounds prior to the start of regular inmate movement when Mr. Knuckles fell and sustained a head injury. Staff immediately transported Knuckles to Appalachian Regional Hospital, West Liberty where he succumbed to his injuries this morning around 7:30 a.m. EST.
“This tragic accident is one that we work to avoid each day as we protect those in our custody,” Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Knuckles and to our correctional staff. We will conduct a thorough review of this situation to better prevent this from happening again.”
As Department of Corrections policy requires, all inmate deaths are reported to the Kentucky State Police.
Knuckles was serving a 12-year sentence for drug related charges, including trafficking of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence out of Madison County.
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