The apparent suicide of a prisoner at MCI-Norfolk this week is raising questions about the suicide prevention and mental health reforms underway at Massachusetts prisons.

The Department of Correction is promising a thorough review of what led to the death of 29-year-old Emil Encarnacion. He was being held in what’s known as a behavior assessment unit, where prisoners are held if they might pose a risk to themselves or others. Those units came under scrutiny earlier this year after an independent report commissioned by the department showed that three of the six suicides in state prisons in 2025 were in such units.

According to the department, correction officers responded a report of self-harm in the behavior assessment unit at MCI-Norfolk Monday. Encarnacion died a short time later at a local hospital.

“We extend our sincere sympathies to Mr. Encarnacion’s family, loved ones and all those impacted by his passing,” the Department of Correction statement said.

The department said it is working on several improvements recommended in the independent report that it commissioned after six suicides in state prisons last year. Those improvements include more staff training, improved access to mental health care and the creation of an overnight helpline for prisoners to reach out.