LAWYER FOR DEAD INMATE WANTS STATE REVIEW OF DEATH

LUDLOW, Mass. --The lawyer for a woman who died while going through
drug detoxification at the Hampden County House of Correction is
asking the attorney general to investigate the death.

Cynthia Brace, a 41-year-old Holyoke woman and longtime heroin user,
died one day after she was sent to the Ludlow jail following her
arrest on drug charges last August.

"This death could have and should have been prevented," said Shawn
Allyn, who also represents Brace's husband, Cecil, who is awaiting
trial in Hampden Superior Court on drug and other charges.

Allyn said he has asked attorney general Tom Reilly to investigate
Brace's death, and says jail officials failed to provide proper care for her.

Beth Stone, a spokeswoman from Reilly's office, declined to comment Monday.

The state medical examiner said Brace died of natural causes, and
Hampden District Attorney William Bennett told The Republican
newspaper of Springfield there was no indication of foul play.

Jay Ashe, superintendent of the Ludlow jail, said Brace died while
going through detox treatment.

Citing privacy laws, jail officials have refused to release Brace's
autopsy reports, treatment records and other documents related to
Brace's death.

Ashe, who is the brother of Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe, said
Brace's death was investigated internally, by the Massachusetts State
Police and by the Hampden County district attorney. He said jail
officials are "very comfortable" that proper procedures were followed.

Brace was arrested Aug. 18 in connection with drug charges and
allegations of abusing an elderly man from Holyoke.

Jail officials said as many as six of every 10 inmates arriving at
Hampden County House of Correction are addicted to drugs or alcohol
and need detox treatment.

Those inmates are given medications to help them cope with the
physical symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, lethargy and confusion.