The investigation into the third death at Hays State Prison in Chattooga County in just three weeks continues.

The inmate reportedly died in a nearby hospital on Friday after an altercation with fellow inmates, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.

The inmate’s identity was being withheld  pending family notification, according to Georgia Department of Corrections spokesperson Gwendolyn Hogan.

Exactly how many inmates were a part of the incident is unconfirmed, and Hogan said that is part of the investigation.

Because of injuries he sustained during the incident, the inmate was taken to a nearby hospital, the name of which Hogan said she could not disclose.

She said the inmate is believed to have died while at that hospital.

Hogan said both the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Department of Corrections are investigating the incident.

Authorities began probes into the separate deaths of two other Hays State Prison inmates in December.

Damien McCain killed in a fight in a prison cell on Dec. 26, while Derrick Stubbs was found dead while housed in protective custody on Dec. 22

Inmate Daniel Ferguson was charged with McClain’s murder.

Hays State Prison is a close security facility in Trion that houses male offenders with behavioral problems that cannot be addressed at other prisons and Mental Health Level II offenders.

(1180 AM)