IDOC DIRECTOR SUSPENDS PROGRAMS, VISITING, ETC. IN RESPONSE TO IDAHO'S FIRST CASE OF CORONAVIRUS
In an email sent to all IDOC prisoners on 3/13/20, Josh Tewalt, Director of IDOC has suspended several programs. That email has been copied below. The only changes that have been made is to some spacing errors in the original.
03/13/2020 Message from the Director
Earlier this evening, Governor Brad Little announced Idahos first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Ada County. The person confirmed with COVID-19 had recently traveled to a conference out of state, was asymptomatic while traveling, and self-isolated at the first signs of illness.
This week, IDOC implemented the Incident Command System with a phased approach to prevention, preparedness and response protocols for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, and the care and concern for staff and the people in our custody, visiting is suspended at all the departments correctional facilities statewide, including its community reentry centers, effectively immediately.
IDOC has also suspended all volunteer programs. Volunteers have been asked to not report to the facilities.
All nine IDOC prisons statewide and CAPP will be placed on modified secure status at 9 p.m., Friday. Rehabilitation programs and limited recreation will continue in housing units. This precautionary measure is to assure the orderly operation of the prisons and will be reviewed on Monday, March 16, 2020.
Residents of IDOCs four community reentry centers will still be allowed to work in their communities.
Other measures taken by IDOC include:
The activation of IDOCs Incident Command System to assure the prompt and effective deployment of resources in response to problems arising from the spread of COVID-19. The development of plans to screen people at entry points to IDOC correctional facilities for symptoms of COVID-19
The co-payment charged to people in our custody for health-care services has been suspended to encourage the reporting of symptoms and treatment of COVID-19. The development of plans to modify operational policies to assure the continued supervision of probationers and parolees despite the spread of COVID-19 in Idaho. Those policies will be reevaluated on a continuous basis during this time.
This situation is very fluid, and well share additional information when it becomes available. If you feel unwell and exhibit symptoms of fever or cough, please contact Corizon to see if you should be tested. Please take care of yourself
Thanks-
Josh
03/13/2020 Message from the Director
Earlier this evening, Governor Brad Little announced Idahos first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Ada County. The person confirmed with COVID-19 had recently traveled to a conference out of state, was asymptomatic while traveling, and self-isolated at the first signs of illness.
This week, IDOC implemented the Incident Command System with a phased approach to prevention, preparedness and response protocols for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, and the care and concern for staff and the people in our custody, visiting is suspended at all the departments correctional facilities statewide, including its community reentry centers, effectively immediately.
IDOC has also suspended all volunteer programs. Volunteers have been asked to not report to the facilities.
All nine IDOC prisons statewide and CAPP will be placed on modified secure status at 9 p.m., Friday. Rehabilitation programs and limited recreation will continue in housing units. This precautionary measure is to assure the orderly operation of the prisons and will be reviewed on Monday, March 16, 2020.
Residents of IDOCs four community reentry centers will still be allowed to work in their communities.
Other measures taken by IDOC include:
The activation of IDOCs Incident Command System to assure the prompt and effective deployment of resources in response to problems arising from the spread of COVID-19. The development of plans to screen people at entry points to IDOC correctional facilities for symptoms of COVID-19
The co-payment charged to people in our custody for health-care services has been suspended to encourage the reporting of symptoms and treatment of COVID-19. The development of plans to modify operational policies to assure the continued supervision of probationers and parolees despite the spread of COVID-19 in Idaho. Those policies will be reevaluated on a continuous basis during this time.
This situation is very fluid, and well share additional information when it becomes available. If you feel unwell and exhibit symptoms of fever or cough, please contact Corizon to see if you should be tested. Please take care of yourself
Thanks-
Josh