Update on Prison Plans, Activities During COVID-19

From the Pennsylvania Prison Society (http://www.prisonsociety.org):

Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) released its Demobilization Plan for state correctional institutions (SCIs).  The plan outlines gradual increases in out-of-cell time and a gradual resumption of programming.

Since March 12, the 43,000 people in state custody have been confined to their cells for 23 hours a day, eating meals in their cells, and only allowed out for 40 minutes in which they must decide whether to exercise, shower, or try to call family.  Each day we hear directly from people in prison and their families about the extreme stress this causes.  We applauded the DOC for acting quickly to keep staff and people in custody safe, and again now for recognizing that living with an indefinite lockdown is unsustainable.

By Tuesday, May 26, thirteen state prisons will allow small cohorts of people to eat meals in the dining hall, attend in-person therapeutic programing, go to the chapel and law library, and exercise in the yard.

The prisons selected to move to this stage, called “level three,” are in areas of the state that have eased stay at home orders and have had less than three staff members or incarcerated people test positive.  A full list of the facilities moving to “level three” can be found here.

In-person visiting remains suspended.
The DOC states that in person-visiting will resume when the entire state ends social distancing restrictions.  The DOC intends to continue Zoom virtual visits when in-person visiting resumes.

County Prisons still in lockdown. 
We call on all counties in the “yellow” phase to follow the lead of the DOC and allow for more out of cell time while vigilantly following guidance for mitigating the spread of the virus.

Frequent and rapid testing of staff will enable easing of restrictions while keeping facilities safe.
The Prison Society is here for you.  We continue to adapt our work of helping people in custody, their families, and policymakers navigate this crisis behind bars.

If you have questions about COVID-19 in Pennsylvania prisons, visit our COVID-19 landing page, or email info@prisonsociety.org.