A state report has faulted procedures at the Albany County Jail after two inmates overdosed in their cells during the last three years.

Brian Bishop, 43, died on Oct. 31, 2021. He had been sent to the jail on a misdemeanor petit larceny charge. Corrections officers stated that Bishop was under the influence of methamphetamine. He had difficulty standing and being still, according to officers.

Bishop was brought to his cell at around 1 a.m. and checked by staff every half hour until 6:30 a.m. He had trouble settling down and appeared to be “ranting and raving” before quieting down, according to the report from the New York State Commission of Correction obtained by NewsChannel 13.

Corrections officers said Bishop’s eyes appeared to be open, but the way the Plexiglass was hung on the cell bars, it was difficult to tell if anything was out of the ordinary, the report stated.

It was until just 7:30 a.m. when other inmates realized he was unresponsive after he did not eat his meal. Bishop was not breathing and had no pulse. He was later pronounced dead.

The report faulted the jail staff for not checking more thoroughly on Bishop.

The second incident involved 20-year-old Ahliek Leonard, who died on June 25, 2022 due to a fentanyl overdose. Leonard was arrested on Dec. 13, 2021 on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter.

When Leonard was first admitted to the jail, he underwent a suicide prevention screening. Because he was angry because this was his first incarceration, Leonard was placed under constant observation, according to the report.  

Leonard had pleaded guilty to manslaughter on May 11, 2022 and was awaiting sentencing.

On June 25, other inmates contacted corrections officers that Leonard was in need of medical attention. He was found unresponsive in his bunk and pronounced dead.

The Department of Correction said that there was no documentation that Leonard received Narcan, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. That should have been completed immediately.

Sheriff Craig Apple said he believes the reports speak for themselves.

“My employees followed procedure and did nothing wrong,” adding that the report shows the devastating effect of addiction.  

The Times Union first reported the story.