BANGOR (AP) – Officials were seeking answers as to why a 22-year-old Penobscot County Jail inmate died hours after he was taken to a hospital for treatment of a respiratory illness.

Jason Shank, who was serving nearly a yearlong sentence on assault and theft charges, as well as for probation revocation, died Tuesday morning at St. Joseph Hospital.

Sheriff Glenn Ross said there would be an internal investigation as well as a state review of procedures at the jail and a medical investigation into why Shank died.

Shank was transported to the hospital Monday evening after exhibiting respiratory complications.

The state medical examiner’s office planned an autopsy and the hospital took cultures to help determine the cause of death.

Officials at the jail were stepping up efforts to identify inmates who may have similar ailments and to put in place precautions for inmates and corrections workers.

Ross said a representative of the Maine Bureau of Health visited the jail Tuesday to address precautions for a wide range of possible ailments and try to limit any possible exposure.

AP-ES-12-24-03 0217EST