Prison staff, inmates strive to stay ahead of COVID-19

Officer C. Eaton conducting screenings on staff as they enter the Visitor Processing area prior to reporting to their assigned posts.

Wabash Valley Correctional Facility

CARLISLE - The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) has implemented procedures to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) administration reports staff and offenders at WVCF have done an excellent job following the direction they have been given.

Deputy Warden Littlejohn stated the following, "I'm very proud of the efforts of our staff and our offender population. They realize the need to stay ahead of this epidemic and the difference doing so will make." 
Deputy Warden Gilmore reported receiving the following positive correspondence from offenders as well. "I want to thank you all for your serious effort to keep us all safe with stepped up cleaning and efforts to allow some distance in our dining hall. The staff are wearing mask and allowing distance to keep us safe. I've assured my family that you've made every effort to keep us all safe during this COVID-19 pandemic."
A few of the precautions put in place include the following. 

• All staff members are being screened prior to reporting to their assigned posts;
• All in-person visits, including volunteer services are suspended;
• All offender labor lines are suspended; and
• Sanitation efforts throughout the facility have been heightened.

Offender are sanitizing the high contact areas once per hour, as required, throughout the facility.

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When staff enter the facility, their temperature is taken and they are asked the questions noted below.

• Have you traveled in the last 14 days? 
• Have you had close contact with anyone diagnosed with the COVID-19 illness within the last 14 days?
• Do you currently have a fever, chills, cough, or shortness of breath?