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Kaazim Freeman, a 33-year-old inmate at Wende Correctional Facility, died by suicide on September 6, 2019, while in custody. Prior to his death, he exhibited unusual behavior and was referred for mental health assessment, but the referral process was found to be outdated. The Commission has concluded that the case should be closed as a suicide, following the retrieval of a suicide note from Freeman's body.

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17 views4 pages

freeman_kaazim_wende_cf

Kaazim Freeman, a 33-year-old inmate at Wende Correctional Facility, died by suicide on September 6, 2019, while in custody. Prior to his death, he exhibited unusual behavior and was referred for mental health assessment, but the referral process was found to be outdated. The Commission has concluded that the case should be closed as a suicide, following the retrieval of a suicide note from Freeman's body.

Uploaded by

bezimek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Final Report of the

New York State Commission of Correction:

In the Matter of the Death of

Kaazim Freeman (19B1825),


an incarcerated individual of the
Wende Correctional Facility

March 29, 2022

To: Honorable Anthony Annucci


Acting Commissioner
NYS Department of Corrections
And Community Supervision
The Harriman State Campus
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12226

Allen Riley
Chairman

Thomas J. Loughren
Commissioner

Yolanda Canty
Commissioner

80 South Swan Street, 12th Floor, Albany, New York 12210 │ 518-485-2346 – phone │ 518-485-2467 – fax │ www.scoc.ny.gov
FINAL REPORT OF KAAZIM FREEMAN Page |2

GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, the Medical Review Board has reported to the NYS Commission of Correction
pursuant to Correction Law, section 47(1)(d), regarding the death of Kaazim Freeman who died
on September 6, 2019, while an incarcerated individual in the custody of the NYS Department of
Corrections and Community Supervision at the Wende Correctional Facility, the Commission
has determined that the following final report be issued.

FINDINGS:

1. Kaazim Freeman was a 33-year-old male who died on 9/6/19 due to a suicidal hanging
while in the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community
Supervision (NYS DOCCS) at the Wende Correctional Facility (CF).

2. Freeman was born in Rochester, NY. Freeman was survived by one child, his mother,
five brothers, and two sisters. There was no information available to the Commission
regarding Freeman’s education or employment history.

3.

4.
.

5.

In the instant offense, on 12/14/18 in Rochester, NY,


Freeman was found in unlawful possession of a loaded .38 caliber handgun with four live
rounds, and one spent round. Freeman spent five months in the Monroe County Jail (CJ)
before being sentenced to seven years in NYS DOCCS.

6.

7. Freeman was admitted into NYS DOCCS at Wende Correctional Facility (CF) on
7/26/19. Freeman was transferred from Wende CF to Elmira CF on 7/29/19 for program
purposes. NYS DOCCS documentation indicated that Freeman was transferred from
Elmira CF to Wende CF on 8/12/19 in order to be assessed. This is where Freeman
remained until the terminal event.
FINAL REPORT OF KAAZIM FREEMAN Page |3

8. Freeman did not acquire any disciplinary infractions during this NYS DOCCS
incarceration.

9.

10. On 9/5/19 at 7:30 p.m., CO J.C. filled out a Mental Health Referral for Freeman.
Documentation indicated that Freeman engaged in strange or unusual behavior which
was not specified. Freeman appeared nervous and fearful for no apparent reason, and
appeared sad and did not speak. Freeman’s hair and body appeared dirty with an
offensive odor. Freeman’s non-verbal and appearance variations fell into the category
for a regular referral to mental health per the Central New York Psychiatric Center Policy
(CNYPC) # 1.3, Mental Health Referral that suggested that the referred incarcerated
individual that was experiencing serious emotional or behavioral problems and requires
that the incarcerated individual be assessed by mental health within 48 hours.

Per a response to the Commission’s preliminary report from the Office of Mental Health
dated 1/10/22, the referral form used in this instance was found to be outdated (from
2014) and
Corrective action regarding the forms use was
taken in response to this incident.

11. On 9/6/19, CO B.C-F. documented that at the 5:47 a.m. count, Freeman was sitting
upright on the bed with both feet on the floor. During the 6:45 a.m. final rounds, Freeman
was alive and breathing laying on his bed.

12. On 9/6/19 at 7:15 a.m., CO D.L. was conducting rounds on 3 company and observed
Freeman sitting on the floor of A-3-22 cell, Freeman’s back was against the cell bars and
a garrote was secured around Freeman’s neck fashioned from a state sheet that was
secured to the top of the cell bars. CO D.L. immediately called a medical emergency.
Staff responded with the automated external defibrillator (AED) and the cutdown tool.
CO S.L. used the cutdown tool to remove the sheet from around Freeman’s neck. COs
S.L. and D.S. removed Freeman from the cell and laid Freeman on the floor of the
gallery. CO S.L. initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and CO D.S. applied the
AED on Freeman’s chest with no shock advised. Medical responded to the scene
immediately and requested 911 to be notified.

Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance staff arrived at the scene at 7:34 a.m. and
assumed the care of Freeman.

13. Freeman wrote a suicide note to his ex-girlfriend that was retrieved by security staff after
the terminal event from Freeman’s body. In summary, the note indicated that Freeman
FINAL REPORT OF KAAZIM FREEMAN Page |4

was distraught over the girlfriend lying and hurting Freeman.

ACTIONS REQUIRED:

This case be closed as a suicide.

WITNESS, HONORABLE THOMAS J. LOUGHREN, Commissioner, NYS Commission of


Correction, Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, 80 South Swan Street, 12th Floor, in the City of
Albany, New York 12210 on this 29th day of March, 2022.

Thomas J. Loughren
Commissioner & Chair
Medical Review Board

TJL:BB:jdb
2019-M-0098
March 2022

cc: Dr. Carol Moores, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Chief Medical Officer
Bryan Hilton, Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health
Superintendent Christopher Yehl, Wende CF
Dr. Li-Wen Lee, Associate Commissioner
Division of Forensic Services, NYS Office of Mental Health
Danielle Dill, Executive Director, CNYPC
William Vertoske, Deputy Director of CBO, CNYPC
Meaghan Bernstein, Director of CBO Risk Management, CNYPC

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