An inmate died unexpectedly early Wednesday morning at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) in Ontario. As with all unanticipated deaths in state prisons, the Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Unit is conducting an investigation. At approximately 7:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, a Correctional Officer found James Papineau, 66, unresponsive in his cell, where he was the sole occupant. Medical staff began life-saving efforts to no avail. He was pronounced deceased at 7:15 a.m. No other details are available at this time. Attempts to locate next of kin have not been successful. The department asks that anyone familiar with the deceased contact one of the numbers listed above. Papineau originally entered DOC custody on August 20, 1988, on multiple charges, including robbery in the first degree, burglary in the first degree, and coercion. He paroled on May 3, 2004, later violated his parole, and returned to DOC custody on February 1, 2006, with multiple new charges. His earliest release date was June 4, 2030.
