Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has profoundly impacted correctional facilities, requiring significant adaptations to protect the health of inmates, staff, and visitors. This section offers articles that examine the response to the COVID-19 pandemic within correctional systems, including containment strategies, vaccination efforts, and the long-term implications for prison health care. Understanding the effects of COVID-19 on correctional operations is essential for professionals navigating this ongoing public health challenge. For related information, explore resources on Correctional Healthcare.
Local law enforcement officials say it could take months to address the backlog of hundreds of jail inmates in need of transfer
Lt. Steve Taylor died on Thursday in what the department describes as a line-of-duty death
States were authorized in August to start spending the money, a CDC spokesperson said
The report called for COs and incarcerated people to receive early access to the COVID-19 vaccine
Officials began a series of mandatory transfers that have proceeded against the advice of the prison’s own medical staff
“I think that our policies, procedures and protocols we have been following do help to slow the spread,” an official said
Gov. Mike DeWine previously authorized the National Guard to help staff state prisons
Both COs and inmates allege that cases are still going undetected, and that inadequate testing and contact tracing is to blame
The funds will help the facility purchase specialized equipment and supplies needed to help reduce exposure to the virus
The DOC reported 101 inmates with symptomatic cases, 216 inmates with asymptomatic cases and 164 staff members recovering from the virus
The disclosure is furthering criticism from advocates and lawyers for inmates who say the BOP isn’t doing enough to stop the spread behind bars
The total cost of the purchases is $1.2 million; the state is using federal stimulus dollars to pay for the equipment
The number of staff cases rose by 241, from 1,720 to 1,961, over a nine-day period
The DOC has said it can’t legally force testing on staff; a labor lawyer said that’s not the case
News of the probe comes just days after state officials revealed $400 million in unemployment benefit claims were wrongly paid to state prison inmates
Gov. Jared Polis’ position goes against the vaccine distribution plan published weeks ago
“The department should have the same testing policy for staff that nursing homes do: all staff, twice a week,” one advocate said
The population reduction will allow the number of direct staffed posts to be decreased by eight per day
The number is nearly triple the amount disclosed last week and that could grow as a criminal investigation continues
Something as simple as guided visualization trips to the beach can help build resiliency in jobs where it seems impossible to relax
A state watchdog report claims corrections officials were slow, confused and ineffective in their response
Officials confirmed that COs Steven Cook and Mark Jones died from the novel coronavirus
ADOC said in a statement that is has taken multiple steps to combat the virus behind bars
In-person visits at the state’s 24 prisons and work-release centers have been suspended since mid-March
The jail’s population has risen significantly since efforts in the spring to release detainees to allow for social distancing
Prison officials said the state has also maxed out on hospital bed capacity for inmates
At least 158 claims were filed for 133 death-row inmates, resulting in more than $420,000 in benefits paid
Officials have been instructing wardens and other staff members to prepare to receive the vaccine within weeks
About 3% of testing across the state has been done at the Department of Corrections
“The straw that broke the camel’s back is what happened with the passing of a correctional officer,” a union rep said
The order prohibits the federal Bureau of Prisons from carrying out Lisa Montgomery’s execution before the end of the year
Several active outbreaks across multiple prisons contributed to the increase
At this crucial infection point we need ‘all of the community’ to help halt transmission in our corrections systems
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