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.
Kirsten Liebendorfer is speaking out about the way her husband and his fellow COs are treated on the job
The sheriff authorized an additional $5 per hour for regular hours scheduled and worked
Court records say a judge on Jan. 5 ordered the man held without bail
The report singles out several problems in the response by the Lompoc complex, including a preexisting shortage of COs and medical staffers
Advocates are calling for more youth to be released, more stringent health protocols and expanded testing to control the spread
The union has been pushing for hazard pay for COs, who are working overtime and picking up extra shifts
The greatest risk to jail inmates is not new inmates with COVID, but deputies or other jail employees catching COVID in the community and bringing it to the jail
The death comes as El Paso County’s two-facility jail system deals with more than 200 COVID-19 cases among staff and inmates
Officer IV Jackson Pongay, 56, had worked with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for more than four years
FMC Carswell has the second highest number of cases out of all the country’s federal prisons
The state prison system has come under fire for what some call a “horribly botched” handling of the pandemic
Otay Mesa Detention Center COs said early absence of masks, lack of cleaning supplies and mixing symptomatic inmates with others contributed to the outbreak
The governor, who has declined to intervene in the four prior executions during his first term in office, offered no further explanation for his decision
Reviewing policies and best practices for public safety personnel wearing face masks on- and off-duty
Expanded testing, mask wearing, limited detainee movement and opening up unused buildings to allow for distancing slowed the spread within the jail
Master Detention Deputy Richard Barry was a 24-year veteran of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office
The state has taken criticism for failing to collect and publish data about COVID-19 testing and outbreaks in local jails
Between March and June, more than 100,000 people were released from state and federal prisons
The Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware renewed its offer to the DOC of providing masks and hand sanitizer to inmates
Officials confirmed Officer Jose Kates’ death, but did not provide any further details
Currently, 1,925 inmates at the prison have contracted the novel coronavirus and nine have died
Lawyers said prison officials haven’t provided inmates hand sanitizer, sufficient testing, contact tracing or social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Masks aren’t required of anyone — correctional officers or inmates — in many communal areas at the Chillicothe Correctional Center
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled “the steps the Oakland County Jail had taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were reasonable”
Inmates reported that they have been given inedible food and that they were out of soap for three weeks
The decision to move forward with the execution during a global health pandemic drew scrutiny from civil rights groups
The decision to resume executions has been criticized as a dangerous and political move
The releases are set to occur on a “rolling basis” between now and the end of August, which will involve low-level offenders and older inmates
In addition to citing safety concerns about masks for inmates, an official said he doubts inmates would want to wear them
Bureau of Prisons officials insist they will be able to conduct the executions safely and have been holding practice drills for months
The massive outbreak prompted the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to set up an incident command center at the prison
If Billy Joe Wardlow’s execution is carried out, it would be the first in Texas since Feb. 6
Kenneth Harbin, 60, died on July 4; he was a 30-year Texas Department of Criminal Justice veteran