The Illinois State Police are investigating the death of a inmate as a homicide after he was found dead in his cell Thursday morning. 

The 31-year-old inmate, who police are not identifying, was found by a deputy doing routine cell checks at about 6:44 a.m., according to a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office press release. 

Another inmate in the cell was moved to another area and the jail was put on lockdown, according to the release. 

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The Illinois State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor will serve as the prosecutor for anything related to this investigation rather than the Jackson County State’s Attorney. 

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. 

Branda Mitchell can be reached at [email protected] or 618-536-3397.