FIRST CONFIRMED INMATE CASE OF COVID-19 AT THE IDAHO STATE CORRECTIONAL CENTER
In a release on June 24, 2020, IDOC Director informed Idaho prisoners that a prisoner at the ISCC had tested positive for the coronavirus. The ISCC was placed on a modified lockdown status Wednesday afternoon, and will likely remain so for quite some time, allowing only essential (inmates) to go to work.
Below is a copy of an email received by Idaho prisoners on June 24, 2020. The email had not been edited, and may contain some typos.
Be well
MSG FROM DIRECTOR JOSH TEWALT
Hi all-
I told you before that youd hear news directly from me and today Im writing with the news weve all been worried would eventually come. At approximately 1300 hours today, we were notified by the state lab that an incarcerated individual at ISCC tested positive for COVID-19. That person has been quarantined in medical since yesterday. This marks the first positive test for anyone under our jurisdiction and necessitates several immediate changes in ISCC.
ISCC is on Level 3 Status: Effective immediately, ISCC is moving to a level 3 incident command response, which means all movements will be stopped and people will be fed in their housing units. We will be requiring all incarcerated persons at ISCC to wear cloth face coverings at all times when outside of your assigned housing area. We will remain in a level 3 response until we are able to identify who had contact with the individual that tested positive, where he might have traveled in the facility, and apply targeted containment procedures.
Unfortunately, wed been seeing a rise in positive COVID-19 cases in the community lately, especially in Ada County. On Monday, as COVID-19 cases continue to climb, the Central District Health moved Ada County back to Stage 3 of the statewide reopening plans. Weve felt increasing impacts on our staff too. In the past 10 days, weve had 44 staff unable to report to work because of potential exposure and 18 of those have come in the last 3 days. Weve also had 3 additional staff test positive for COVID-19, 2 of those were at ISCI and 1 was at ISCC.
That said, it is clear we have to take additional precautions to protect our staff and you. Heres whats happening.
Masks mandatory in prisons and CRCs: Effective at 1800 hours today, June 24th, all staff working in prisons and CRCs are required to wear a cloth face covering while on duty. To date, weve encouraged staff to wear a cloth face covering when not able to appropriately maintain physical distance from others. This new directive mandates that all staff working in prisons or CRCs wear a cloth face covering at all times. You shouldnt be alarmed at the sight of staff wearing masks, and its going to be the new normal for a while.
At this point, we arent mandating that you wear a mask (except in ISCC), but I strongly encourage you to do so. Its an inconvenience for sure, but it also is an additional safety measure you can take to protect yourself and others. We are, however, working on some additional guidance for CRC residents or others with off-compound privileges. Well have something out to you by the end of the week. COVID-19 is in our communities, and on the rise so this means our staff and those of you who go out in the community have to take extra precautions.
ISCI on Modified Level 3 Status: Also effective at 1800 hours today, June 24th, ISCI will move to a modified level 3 status. This change in status means movement in the facility will be further restricted to accomplish two primary objectives. The first objective is to modify posts in preparation for a higher number of staff being unable to report. The second objective is to add an additional layer of protection to the population in custody by minimizing movement between units, modifying schedules to provide for additional cleaning and sanitation of shared areas between uses, and allowing the opportunity for units to shelter in place for observation. This operational period runs from 1800 hrs on June 24, 2020 to 1800 hrs on July 8, 2020.
COVID-19 Testing: The ID NOW testing instrument that provides rapid test results will be available for use tomorrow at ISCI. Any staff or people in custody in the S. Boise Complex who present as symptomatic are eligible to be tested using the ID NOW instrument. Through a partnership with the Veterans Administration, we also will be rolling out a mass/surveillance testing process. This new testing capacity will be rolled out in phases, but will likely include first testing people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 at ISCC as well as all people entering our system. This partnership is invaluable for the implementation of a surveillance testing protocol to continually test the population in custody for asymptomatic positive cases. This testing capacity will also be utilized to conduct mass testing in the event of a positive COVID-19 case in our in custody population.
Morale Kits: Thanks to our partnership with Keefe, another round of morale kits will be making their way to you this week or next. The kit will contain the following:
5 single serve Coffee packets
2 peanut packets
4 squeeze cheese packets
2 Chico Stix (candy)
2 beef ramen packages
I appreciate your patience during what we know has been an unusual and difficult time. I know your families and loved ones are feeling it too. Please know were going to continue to try to be creative and look for additional ways for you to maintain and strengthen connections with the people in your life while keeping you safe. Please take care of yourself.
Thanks-
Josh
Information about the inside - from the inside. Have your family and friends visit or subscribe to the Idaho Prison Blog today - log on to: www.idahoprisonblog.blogspot.com - it's FREE!
Below is a copy of an email received by Idaho prisoners on June 24, 2020. The email had not been edited, and may contain some typos.
Be well
MSG FROM DIRECTOR JOSH TEWALT
Hi all-
I told you before that youd hear news directly from me and today Im writing with the news weve all been worried would eventually come. At approximately 1300 hours today, we were notified by the state lab that an incarcerated individual at ISCC tested positive for COVID-19. That person has been quarantined in medical since yesterday. This marks the first positive test for anyone under our jurisdiction and necessitates several immediate changes in ISCC.
ISCC is on Level 3 Status: Effective immediately, ISCC is moving to a level 3 incident command response, which means all movements will be stopped and people will be fed in their housing units. We will be requiring all incarcerated persons at ISCC to wear cloth face coverings at all times when outside of your assigned housing area. We will remain in a level 3 response until we are able to identify who had contact with the individual that tested positive, where he might have traveled in the facility, and apply targeted containment procedures.
Unfortunately, wed been seeing a rise in positive COVID-19 cases in the community lately, especially in Ada County. On Monday, as COVID-19 cases continue to climb, the Central District Health moved Ada County back to Stage 3 of the statewide reopening plans. Weve felt increasing impacts on our staff too. In the past 10 days, weve had 44 staff unable to report to work because of potential exposure and 18 of those have come in the last 3 days. Weve also had 3 additional staff test positive for COVID-19, 2 of those were at ISCI and 1 was at ISCC.
That said, it is clear we have to take additional precautions to protect our staff and you. Heres whats happening.
Masks mandatory in prisons and CRCs: Effective at 1800 hours today, June 24th, all staff working in prisons and CRCs are required to wear a cloth face covering while on duty. To date, weve encouraged staff to wear a cloth face covering when not able to appropriately maintain physical distance from others. This new directive mandates that all staff working in prisons or CRCs wear a cloth face covering at all times. You shouldnt be alarmed at the sight of staff wearing masks, and its going to be the new normal for a while.
At this point, we arent mandating that you wear a mask (except in ISCC), but I strongly encourage you to do so. Its an inconvenience for sure, but it also is an additional safety measure you can take to protect yourself and others. We are, however, working on some additional guidance for CRC residents or others with off-compound privileges. Well have something out to you by the end of the week. COVID-19 is in our communities, and on the rise so this means our staff and those of you who go out in the community have to take extra precautions.
ISCI on Modified Level 3 Status: Also effective at 1800 hours today, June 24th, ISCI will move to a modified level 3 status. This change in status means movement in the facility will be further restricted to accomplish two primary objectives. The first objective is to modify posts in preparation for a higher number of staff being unable to report. The second objective is to add an additional layer of protection to the population in custody by minimizing movement between units, modifying schedules to provide for additional cleaning and sanitation of shared areas between uses, and allowing the opportunity for units to shelter in place for observation. This operational period runs from 1800 hrs on June 24, 2020 to 1800 hrs on July 8, 2020.
COVID-19 Testing: The ID NOW testing instrument that provides rapid test results will be available for use tomorrow at ISCI. Any staff or people in custody in the S. Boise Complex who present as symptomatic are eligible to be tested using the ID NOW instrument. Through a partnership with the Veterans Administration, we also will be rolling out a mass/surveillance testing process. This new testing capacity will be rolled out in phases, but will likely include first testing people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 at ISCC as well as all people entering our system. This partnership is invaluable for the implementation of a surveillance testing protocol to continually test the population in custody for asymptomatic positive cases. This testing capacity will also be utilized to conduct mass testing in the event of a positive COVID-19 case in our in custody population.
Morale Kits: Thanks to our partnership with Keefe, another round of morale kits will be making their way to you this week or next. The kit will contain the following:
5 single serve Coffee packets
2 peanut packets
4 squeeze cheese packets
2 Chico Stix (candy)
2 beef ramen packages
I appreciate your patience during what we know has been an unusual and difficult time. I know your families and loved ones are feeling it too. Please know were going to continue to try to be creative and look for additional ways for you to maintain and strengthen connections with the people in your life while keeping you safe. Please take care of yourself.
Thanks-
Josh
Information about the inside - from the inside. Have your family and friends visit or subscribe to the Idaho Prison Blog today - log on to: www.idahoprisonblog.blogspot.com - it's FREE!