Prisoner amputates penis at Monroe prison complex

MONROE — A convicted murderer at the Washington state prison complex in Monroe was hospitalized after his second attempt to cut off his penis.

A spokeswoman for the Monroe Correctional Complex, Cathy Kopoian, says the 49-year-old inmate has a history of mental illness and already had amputated much of his genitals several years ago.

Corrections Department spokesman Chad Lewis identified the inmate as John Forrester

Forrester apparently used a razor blade to cut off what remained on Thursday. Kopoian tells The Everett Herald that he was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with serious cuts to the groin. His condition was not immediately available Thursday night.

Kopoian says prisoners are permitted basic necessities — including razors — under state law.

Kopoian says Forrester was convicted on July 1, 1977, for aggravated first-degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole.

Seattle Times staff reporter Charles E. Brown contributed to this report.