Tracy, CA…California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is investigating the death of an inmate at Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI) as a possible homicide. Inmate Rodrick Castro, 34, was found unresponsive in his cell by staff on Monday, Oct. 24, at about 3:50 p.m. Staff immediately responded with life-saving measures. Castro was pronounced dead at the prison at 4:15 p.m. His next-of-kin have been notified. No suspects have been identified at this time.

Castro was received by CDCR in 2013 from Los Angeles County to serve a 10-year, eight-month sentence for attempted second-degree murder and carjacking.

The Office of the Inspector General, CDCR’s Division of Adult Institutions, and the San Joaquin County Coroners’ Office were notified of the death.

DVI opened in 1953 and operates as a reception center that receives inmates from 29 Northern California counties. DVI’s secondary mission is to provide housing for general population, level I, II and III inmates. DVI houses about 2,200 inmates and employs 1,033 people.