PA Department of Corrections Response to COVID-19 Crisis

Visitation was suspended on March 13.

The rumors are starting to flow from prison to prison, re: disposition of persons who have tested positive and/or have been exposed and/or are ill.

Seems video visiting is working for most who have used it.

Cable TV is now free to all insiders.

Some information on COVID-19 from the DOC website:

Sanitation

Institutions are holding town hall meetings with their inmate population to review sanitation guidelines and COVID-19 information for awareness. These meetings are conducted with institutions safety manager and infectious control nurse. Inmates are being educated on prevention/ mitigation efforts.
Sanitation has increased all throughout the SCI, including housing units and cells.
Provided all staff with a vehicle sanitation plan explaining how to clean all vehicles.
Correctional Industries increased production of anti-bacterial soap to ensure all inmates and staff have sufficient supply throughout the institution. Soap is provided free of charge to inmates.
Directed all equipment (radios, OC, etc.) to be cleaned after each shift and throughout the day.

SCIs

Every SCI has plans in place for quarantine if an inmate tests positive
SCI Laurel Highlands and SCI Waymart will not be accepting new inmates. This has been expanded to include SCI-Fayette, which houses oncology.
Parole violators should be returned to only 3 pre-determined SCIs
Institutions will continue food services, groups, religious services, and activities. We will evaluate each institution on a case-by-case basis on whether this needs to change.
All SCIs will identify vulnerable population to keep them isolated.
Monitoring sick-call and staff health and advising employees to stay home if they are sick.
Postponing audits, inspections and reentry job fairs that were scheduled for March and April.
All training at the DOC Training Academy—outside of basic training and the inmate culinary academy—has ceased as of March 16.
Pennsylvania Correctional Industries is increasing manufacturing capabilities.
PCI is manufacturing anti-bacterial soap and masks.

Parole/Field/Reentry

All parole hearings will continue as scheduled and follow the existing process.
Bureau of Community Corrections is furloughing eligible reentrants.
Community Corrections has implemented additional sanitation efforts.
Community Corrections staff and reentrants are undergoing enhanced screening.
Field agents have increased contacts via technology.
Agents are equipped with PPE to use if necessary.