State corrections department announces death of inmate

CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Corrections announced the death of inmate John Owen, who was serving a four- to six-year sentence for burglary in Laramie County.

Owen died Saturday, March 14 at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution in Torrington. He was born in Lovell, Wyoming, on Aug. 8, 1959.

“Per WDOC policy an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. WDOC does not release protected health information,” the release stated.

Owen was sentenced in Laramie County District Court last year following a burglary conviction. Court records indicate he had been incarcerated since his sentencing and was housed at the Torrington facility, which primarily holds medium-security inmates.

The Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution houses approximately 500 male offenders. The facility provides educational programs, substance abuse treatment and vocational training to prepare inmates for reentry into society. The WDOC has not indicated whether Owen was participating in any programs at the time of his death.

Prisons across Wyoming have faced staffing challenges and healthcare access issues in recent years. The state’s correctional ombudsman has previously raised concerns about medical care for aging inmates, though no specific issues have been cited in Owen’s case.

Autopsy results could take several weeks to complete, according to standard procedure. The WDOC said it will provide updates if new information becomes available, while continuing to follow privacy laws regarding inmate medical information.