IDOC DIRECTOR'S 04/17/2020 MESSAGE TO PRISONERS
Hi all-
Its been a little while since I sent out an update, so I wanted to reach out and update you on a few things.
COVID-19 Testing: We have 26 people who have been tested for COVID-19 in Idahos prisons and all 26 have been negative. Another 6 people have been tested in Eagle Pass and all of those have also been negative.
Medical Screening of Staff: Since this crisis began, we have been screening every staff person who tries to enter an IDOC facility or office. We've had 170 staff be sent home or choose to stay home because they didn't feel they'd pass the medical screening. Most people have been able to return to work after having a period of self-quarantine or medical clearance. This is our most important effort to prevent someone from inadvertently introducing the virus to our facilities and so far, its working.
Visiting/Volunteer Restrictions Continue: On Wednesday, Governor Little announced an extension to his previous Stay-Home Order. The new order extends the statewide stay-home order to April 30. At IDOC, we have also made the decision to continue the current modified-secure status in our facilities and there will be no in-person visitation and volunteers will not be allowed to come into the facilities at least through April 30. At that time, well reevaluate if the timeline needs to be further extended. We're also working to take additional steps to help create social distance within the confines of the prison setting, so you can expect to see changes that help reduce the potential for groups to congregate and increase the space between people.
Making Connections: We're not in your shoes, but we are mindful of how difficult the continuing restrictions on visitation can be. We know they're especially hard on your loved ones. We've worked pretty hard to try to increase the ways you can stay connected by working with our vendors to provide free calls, video visits, free stamps, etc. We're going to be doing even more. Next week we're going to be announcing that IDOC will subsidize part of the cost of calls, email stamps, and other avenues of communication. We're working out the details right now, but you should receive an email from CenturyLink early next week. What you and your loved ones can expect to see are reduced rates to facilitate more communication and you'll also have access to some additional entertainment and education content. Stay tuned.
Cloth Masks: The CDC is now suggesting that when people cannot maintain a social distance (6 from someone else), that people should wear masks. As a result of this new guidance, we have placed a large order for reusable cloths masks and we have asked people in each facility to pitch in and help sew masks so that we can provide each person with 3 masks. To those of you who are involved in the sewing project, thank you! You have stepped up in a big way and, in just a little over a weeks time, have produced about 7,000 masks. We have started to distribute masks and expect that everyone will have them by the end of next week. Once everyone has 3 masks, we plan to donate extras to help others in need.
We continue to be very fortunate that we do not have a known case of COVID-19 in our facilities. Your efforts around good hand washing and facility cleanliness continue to be as important as ever, so please continue to be vigilant. Please take care of yourself. Thanks- Josh
Its been a little while since I sent out an update, so I wanted to reach out and update you on a few things.
COVID-19 Testing: We have 26 people who have been tested for COVID-19 in Idahos prisons and all 26 have been negative. Another 6 people have been tested in Eagle Pass and all of those have also been negative.
Medical Screening of Staff: Since this crisis began, we have been screening every staff person who tries to enter an IDOC facility or office. We've had 170 staff be sent home or choose to stay home because they didn't feel they'd pass the medical screening. Most people have been able to return to work after having a period of self-quarantine or medical clearance. This is our most important effort to prevent someone from inadvertently introducing the virus to our facilities and so far, its working.
Visiting/Volunteer Restrictions Continue: On Wednesday, Governor Little announced an extension to his previous Stay-Home Order. The new order extends the statewide stay-home order to April 30. At IDOC, we have also made the decision to continue the current modified-secure status in our facilities and there will be no in-person visitation and volunteers will not be allowed to come into the facilities at least through April 30. At that time, well reevaluate if the timeline needs to be further extended. We're also working to take additional steps to help create social distance within the confines of the prison setting, so you can expect to see changes that help reduce the potential for groups to congregate and increase the space between people.
Making Connections: We're not in your shoes, but we are mindful of how difficult the continuing restrictions on visitation can be. We know they're especially hard on your loved ones. We've worked pretty hard to try to increase the ways you can stay connected by working with our vendors to provide free calls, video visits, free stamps, etc. We're going to be doing even more. Next week we're going to be announcing that IDOC will subsidize part of the cost of calls, email stamps, and other avenues of communication. We're working out the details right now, but you should receive an email from CenturyLink early next week. What you and your loved ones can expect to see are reduced rates to facilitate more communication and you'll also have access to some additional entertainment and education content. Stay tuned.
Cloth Masks: The CDC is now suggesting that when people cannot maintain a social distance (6 from someone else), that people should wear masks. As a result of this new guidance, we have placed a large order for reusable cloths masks and we have asked people in each facility to pitch in and help sew masks so that we can provide each person with 3 masks. To those of you who are involved in the sewing project, thank you! You have stepped up in a big way and, in just a little over a weeks time, have produced about 7,000 masks. We have started to distribute masks and expect that everyone will have them by the end of next week. Once everyone has 3 masks, we plan to donate extras to help others in need.
We continue to be very fortunate that we do not have a known case of COVID-19 in our facilities. Your efforts around good hand washing and facility cleanliness continue to be as important as ever, so please continue to be vigilant. Please take care of yourself. Thanks- Josh