UPDATE - Dept. of Correction Suspends Visitations at Some Facilities Result of COVID-19

Indiana Department of Correction sent this bulletin at 03/10/2020 01:41 PM EDT

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Indiana Department of Correction

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
Indiana Government Center South
302 W. Washington Street, Rm. E334
Indianapolis, IN 46204
www.in.gov/idoc

FOR RELEASE: Upon Receipt

David Bursten
Chief Communications Officer
317-232-5780
DBursten@idoc.in.gov
@IDOCChiefComms

Date: March 10, 2020

UPDATED from March 9, 2020

There continue to be no known cases of COVID-19 among staff or offenders at any IDOC facility.  The information in the below release, issued March 9, 2020, remains accurate with the addition of another facility that has suspended in-person visitations.

UPDATED information is in red font or bold black font

COVID-19 Concern Results in Visitation Restrictions
at Some Department of Correction Facilities

Indianapolis, Ind - While there are presently no known cases of COVID-19 among staff or offenders housed at Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) facilities, visitation to certain prison facilities has been suspended indefinitely. 

The decision to suspend visitation is precautionary in nature and was made in the interest of the health and safety of IDOC staff and offenders at the following facilities:

  • Heritage Trail Correctional Facility – Hendricks County
  • Indiana State Prison – LaPorte County
  • Indiana Women’s Prison – Marion County
  • LaPorte Juvenile Correctional Facility – LaPorte County

  • New Castle Correctional Facility - Henry County

  • Plainfield Correctional Facility - Hendricks County
  • Reception Diagnostic Center - Hendricks County
  • Westville Correctional Facility - LaPorte County

The above facilities were identified for temporary suspension of visitations due to being near an urban area or location where a member of the public was identified as being infected by COVID-19.

IDOC Commissioner Rob Carter commented, “I know how important visitations are to offenders and to their family and friends, but the overriding concern is to limit the opportunity of COVID-19 being introduced into our facilities.”  Carter continued, “I’ve directed my staff to assess the need for continued visitation restrictions on a daily basis, and when responsible to do so, restrictions will be lifted, or if necessary, expanded to other facilities to protect staff and offenders.”

While in-person visitations have been suspended, approved friends and family members can still visit remotely by video.  Video visits must be scheduled in advance and are limited to 20 minutes.  

Prior to visiting an IDOC facility, friends and family members should visit the Indiana Department of Correction website and search the ‘Find A Facility’ to locate specific prison facilities.  Once on the Facility website, click the 'Visitation' tab for current visitation information and see if visitor restrictions are in place.

To learn more about COVID-19 click this link to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) website where you can subscribe to ISDH email updates, or click this link for the Center for Disease Control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) information.

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