Home / Crime and Justice / Family Seeks Answers in Inmate's Meningitis Death
Family Seeks Answers in Inmate's Meningitis Death
1 Aug
Summary
- Inmate allegedly denied timely medical treatment for illness.
- Family commissioned independent autopsy, suspecting meningitis.
- Department of Correction reviewing case for systemic issues.
Rolando Figueredo, a 38-year-old inmate at MCI-Shirley, died in early June 2026, approximately one week after being hospitalized with meningitis. His family alleges that prison medical staff repeatedly dismissed his worsening symptoms, which began as a cold in March 2026, and failed to provide adequate treatment. They claim he suffered for months with intense pain and fever before being transferred to UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Following Figueredo's death, the Massachusetts Department of Correction initiated a mortality review to examine staffing, training, and treatment protocols. The state contracts with VitalCare Health Strategies for prison healthcare, a system that has previously faced scrutiny for substandard care. Figueredo's family has also commissioned an independent autopsy, which preliminarily suggests a sinus infection led to meningitis.
Figueredo was serving a two-year sentence for charges stemming from a 2024 incident and would have been eligible for parole in spring 2027. His family remembers him for his sense of humor and passion, striving to keep his memory alive as they seek justice and answers regarding his final months.
