New Details Emerge in Lebanon Prison Inmate’s Death After Use-of-Force Incident

New information has surfaced about the death of a Lebanon Correctional Institution inmate who was involved in a use-of-force incident with prison staff, intensifying scrutiny of the state prison in Warren County. The inmate, identified as 38-year-old Laselle Allen of Toledo, died Nov. 29 at Atrium Medical Center in Middletown after an altercation inside the prison.

Allen was pronounced dead at 9:38 a.m., according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, which confirmed he had been in custody at Lebanon Correctional Institution at the time of the incident. Officials said Allen was involved in an altercation with his cellmate that prompted a response from corrections officers, during which force was used against him.

An incident report indicates that after the fight between cellmates, responding officers engaged in a use-of-force encounter with Allen before he was taken to the prison infirmary. There, Allen became unresponsive and was transported to Atrium Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

State officials confirmed that two prison employees, including a correction officer and a registered nurse, have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is leading the criminal investigation, which remains active and open.

Warren County Coroner Dr. Russell Uptegrove said an autopsy performed at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office found only mild injuries, such as contusions and abrasions, and no clear traumatic cause of death. Toxicology results are pending, and the coroner noted there is a significant possibility the death may be drug-related, citing growing concerns about synthetic drugs in prisons.

Uptegrove said synthetic cannabinoids, sometimes referred to as “tune,” along with other illicit substances, have been linked to sudden deaths in correctional facilities and can trigger fatal cardiac arrhythmias that are not visible during autopsy. Because routine testing does not always detect these substances, samples in such cases must be sent to specialized reference laboratories, a process that can delay final conclusions on cause of death.

Allen had been incarcerated since late December and was serving a one-and-a-half-year sentence for aggravated assault and attempted discharge of a firearm at a habitation or school in Lucas County. State records show he was nearing his expected release date in early January.