AUGUSTA — A 64-year-old inmate who had been isolated from other prisoners because of his provocative behavior died while in a cell at the Kennebec County jail on Friday, the sheriff said.

Dana Kitchin, of Waterville, was in an observation cell at the jail when a correctional officer conducting a 15-minute check found him to be unresponsive and with a low pulse at 3:55 p.m. Friday, according to Sheriff Randall Liberty. Liberty said the jail’s in-house medical team and Augusta Rescue were called. Liberty said Kitchin, who had been at the jail for two days, was pronounced dead when rescue workers arrived.

Maine State Police Detective Ryan Brockway is investigating the death, which is standard procedure.

Kitchin, who was arrested by Waterville police last Wednesday, appears to have died because of an unspecified medical problem and his death is not considered suspicious, authorities said.

“No foul play is suspected,” said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety. McCausland said the cause of death would be confirmed by the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

Liberty also said it appeared Kitchin died of natural causes and there had been no prior indications to jail staff that Kitchin had a medical condition. The Medical Examiner’s Office, which performed an autopsy Sunday, could not be reached Monday for information on results.

Liberty said Kitchin had been in custody at the jail for three days after he was arrested and charged with criminal trespass in Waterville.

Kitchin was in an observation cell behind and near a control room at the jail and not in a regular cell with the rest of the jail population, so he could be under constant supervision and subject to 15-minute checks because Liberty said Kitchin’s behavior “was challenging.”

Kitchin was disruptive while at the jail, making loud banging noises and saying disruptive things.

“He had not assaulted anyone yet, but he was verbal and loud and uncooperative,” Liberty said, adding that the observation cell is a standard practice for the safety of the inmate and others.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey said police have had contact with Kitchin about 50 times since 2006. His interactions with police include numerous criminal trespassing charges and warnings, according to newspaper archives and police. They include a Dec. 10 incident this year in which a Butler Court resident didn’t want him at her apartment, and he was arrested by police on a charge of criminal trespass because he allegedly refused to leave.

McCausland said state police investigate all deaths of inmates in the corrections system and that the Department of Corrections will also review the incident. Liberty said an internal review will also be conducted with Sgt. Al Morin, of the county’s office of professional review, and Sgt. Frank Hatch assisting.

Liberty said Department of Corrections officials were expected to come to the jail Tuesday to review the incident and policies at the jail.

Keith Edwards — 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @kedwardskj

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