Coronavirus (COVID-19)
In December 2019, the CDC began monitoring an infectious disease outbreak caused by a new coronavirus strain first identified in Wuhan, China. On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease: COVID-19, which was officially named a pandemic on March 11, 2020.
The first case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020, in the state of Washington. The first fatality in the United States was announced on February 28, 2020. Find COVID-19 breaking news, what corrections officers and staff need to know about the novel coronavirus, and tips for public safety leaders in how to prepare for and educate the public on the coronavirus here on Corrections1.
Sgt. Gilbert Polanco died from COVID-19 after state officials ordered the transfer of infected inmates into his prison from another facility
The lawsuit contends detainees at the Washington County Jail were given ivermectin as early as November 2020 but were unaware until July 2021
Court Section officers are caught up in a lawsuit over conditions at borough courthouses and remain under a federal judge’s order to wear masks
“It’s not if we have a detention officer stabbed or cut, it’s when,” Sheriff Chris Elliott said
“We are doing everything we can to proactively prevent inmate and employee exposure to the virus,” Sheriff Anthony Dennis said
As of last month, 141 of the jail’s 470 total positions were unfilled
53 prisoners received nearly $200,000 in unemployment benefits because they had been laid off from work release programs as the state shut down in 2020
Nearly 2,200 staff members were out sick late last week
“The mental health of our staff is in grave danger,” the union’s president said in a statement
That number includes 118 sworn employees who are at home after testing positive
Beyond those terminations, 40 DOC employees resigned since the mandate began and another 75 retired
COVID-19 put the spotlight on officer recruitment, retention and wellness. The good news is, we have solutions to these issues
Attorney General Merrick Garland’s announcement comes after months of pressure on the Biden administration
The AB Kiosk system can coordinate up to 30 alcohol screenings and check-ins per hour
The last time new cases were this high was during last winter’s surge
This most recent termination tally could still rise
Administrators and supervisors MUST invest in their most valuable resource – front-line staff – like never before
Anthony Pasquarello was a 15-year veteran of the department “who served with great distinction,” the sheriff said
Court says no to compassionate release request for convicted murderer and drug kingpin in this recent case
Of the 9,163 staff members who aren’t considered fully vaccinated, only 2,340 have submitted weekly test results
The fee, up to $55 per month, is intended to offset the costs of required weekly testing
About 1,900 employees had yet to comply with the mandate by Monday night; the deadline was 5 p.m. Tuesday
The state has fired 12 DOC employees so far
“We will do everything we can to fight this,” said union president Benny Boscio
“It sounds like it’s about the money, but this is a token of appreciation,” said Ginny Ligi, a correctional officer who contracted COVID-19 last year
Staff recruitment and retention have remained critical obstacles, but there are still strategies organizations can employ to gain the upper hand in 2022
The state began firing officers last week and about a dozen more disciplinary hearings are slated for Monday
The portable BioFlash Biological Identifier can detect and identify the presence of low levels of aerosolized COVID-19 in any part of your facility
The initial round of termination letters was sent Tuesday; impacted officers now have 10 days to appeal
The mayor is confident a wave of officers will comply by the Dec. 1 deadline; the union president sees a staffing catastrophe in the making
Those given temporary stays may ultimately have their sentences revised or waived
Sheriff Tom Spangler also says he will not comply with a federal vax mandate that will make his office an even less attractive place to work
Officer Juan Cruz had been hospitalized since October 13 after contracting the virus at work
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