Harrisburg Man, 72, Dies Three Weeks After Hospitalization Following Medical Emergency at Dauphin County Prison

A Harrisburg man, recently an inmate at Dauphin County Prison, died this week – three weeks after being transported to a hospital from the prison following a medical emergency.

Edward C. Sinkovitz, 72, was initially hospitalized on Sept. 27, returned to the prison, then was hospitalized again after a medical emergency on Oct. 1.

Sinkovitz died early Thursday morning at an area hospital.

He was committed to Dauphin County Prison on Sept. 21, after being sentenced to 10 to 20 years for various felony sex offenses, including rape of a child.

On the night of Oct. 1, Dauphin County Prison staff were regularly checking on Sinkovitz in his cell (he did not have a cellmate) – at least three times in a 32-minute span. Very shortly after a 10:04 p.m. check, Sinkovitz had the medical emergency.

Prison staff, including medical staff, responded to the cell. Sinkovitz was treated and transported to a hospital.

The Criminal Investigation Division of the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the death, as is procedure for in-custody deaths.

There were no signs of physical trauma on Sinkovitz’s body or other indications that he was assaulted.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett Hambright, Press Secretary, 717-780-6311; bhambright@dauphinc.org.