AP Exclusive: Visits to federal inmates halted over virus

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inmates at all 122 federal correctional facilities across the country will no longer be allowed visits from family, friends or attorneys for the next 30 days, in response to the threat of the coronavirus, officials told The Associated Press on Friday.

The restrictions, now in effect, were portrayed as a precaution, since no federal inmates or Bureau of Prisons staff members have tested positives for COVID-19. The officials said some exceptions could be made for legal visits.

The plan to temporarily suspend visitation, curtail staff travel and pause inmate transfers is part of the bureau’s action plan for concerns over the spread of the new coronavirus for the 175,000 inmates in BOP custody.

Correctional officers and other Bureau of Prisons staff members who work in facilities in areas with “sustained community transmission” or at medical referral centers — which provide advanced care for inmates with chronic or acute medical conditions — would be subject to enhanced health screenings. Those include having their temperature taken before they report for duty each day.

-snip-

By MICHAEL BALSAMO
20 minutes ago


Read more: https://apnews.com/150b1c38c898a249b97f2828c4367ab5

[Igel]

1. Everybody who supervises a population like this needs to have something like it in place.

Instead of "containment," think "exclusion." That's psych hospitals, jails and prisons, in-patient rehab centers. Even group homes.

Easiest way is to limit visits. Skype in. Everybody who makes physical contact is tested on two or three consecutive days. Preferably keep staff quarantined, as well. Captive community, often with pre-existing health problems or who'd like an excuse to officially panic.

[MissMillie]

2. My guy was wondering about prisons

he's a retired CO.

2 people in every 6 x 10 cell. Whole units being taken to the mess for meals, being taken for their medications...

I guess if you stop visitation, the only way it can get in is by employees, or if an inmate has to make a court appearance.