Federal prisons are lifting COVID-19 visitor restrictions -- and workers are worried
WASHINGTON -- The Bureau of Prisons directed all federal prisons to reopen visitation for inmates by Oct. 3 in a memo sent to wardens this week, a move that representatives for correctional officers said would be dangerous and opening Pandoras box.
The Bureau of Prisons suspended visitors coming to see inmates in March amid concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. Six months later, it is directing wardens to open visitation under non-contact only rules.
Social visiting will resume no later than Saturday, October 3, 2020, in accordance with the guidance below, the memo sent on Monday states. Wardens will immediately begin developing local procedures to reinstate social visiting.
Nationwide rules include temperature checks for visitors, at least 6 feet of distance between all visitors and inmates, proper face masks and cleaning between each visitor.
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