Putnamville Correctional Staff and Offenders Continue Fight Against the Spread of COVID-19

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Indiana Department of Correction

INDIANA DEPT. OF CORRECTION
Putnamville Correctional Facility
1946 West US Highway 40
Greencastle, IN 46135

www.in.gov/idoc

FOR RELEASE: Upon Receipt

Brooke Edwards
Public Information Officer
765-653-8441 ext. 407
BEdwards1@idoc.in.gov

Date: May 6, 2020

Putnamville Correctional Staff and Offenders Continue
Fight Against the Spread of COVID-19

Greencastle, Ind.—Putnamville Correctional Facility (ISF), Warden Smith, Deputy Warden Hartzell, and Deputy Warden Phegley would like to thank all the staff and offenders that have continually done their part in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

While tensions and positive cases are continually growing throughout the country and our state,  ISF staff and offenders are working hard to fight the spread and flatten the curve to limit the risk and exposure of COVID-19 for all.

Putnamville Correctional has produced masks that were given to staff and offenders in order to flatten the states curve. Everyday prior to entering the facility staff members are having temperature's taken , and anyone who has a fever of 100 degrees or higher is sent home. Those sent home cannot return to work until they meet the Center for Disease Control requirements to return to work.

Offenders who are screened and have a fever of 100 degrees are quarantined for up to 14 days for monitoring. Positive cases will be isolated in a different area, pending recovery from the virus. Each unit is being staffed by the same custody officers to reduce the risk of exposure, and only those required to enter are authorized to do so. Due to staff member diligence and cleaning crews ISF has no confirmed cases at this time. ISF made the quick decisions to keep our offender and staff populations safe by temporarily cancelling visits and volunteer programs.

Putnamville has assigned cleaning crews with both staff and offenders working around the clock, sanitizing door handles, phones, desks, and other common to touch areas. ISF staff and offender population, at all times, are required to utilize Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Alcohol based hand sanitizer have been made available to all offenders and staff. Soap is also being made available to the offender population and replenished often.

Putnamville Education Department is continually developing lessons for offenders to use so they do not fall behind with their classwork. Purposeful Living Units Serve (PLUS) program and the Honor dorm have assisted by volunteering to make mask.

Indiana Correctional Industries, are running pallet shop, so the offenders can continue to work while practicing the CDC guidelines for social distancing.  Offenders are getting the opportunity to stay in touch with family and friends utilizing two free phone calls and one video visit each week.

Warden Brian Smith, stated, “Staff have shown their steadfast dedications to this mission and we are doing everything within our power to keep this virus out of our facility and the state numbers low" Warden Smith continued, "Safety for our staff, offenders and the community has always been the top priority.  We are all fighting in this together and I am proud of the dedicated staff and offender volunteers who are making masks as well as the different cleaning crews for their hard work."


Background

The Indiana Dept. of Correction has and will continue to test staff and offenders in accordance with CDC guidelines.  The IDOC Preparedness and Response Plan is being followed for any staff member or offender who test positive. As needed, symptomatic offenders are separated from other offenders. Movement of offenders is not released in accordance with security protocols for the safety of offenders and staff. 

For the most current information on IDOC Offenders and Staff that have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, click THIS LINK and then click as indicated on the ORANGE banner at the bottom of the web page. 

Visit this IDOC Comprehensive response To COVID-19 link for all other related information. 


Entry Exit staff hard at work disinfecting

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Carlos

Looking for a new career?  We are hiring now!   Call or email Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Carlos Williams during regular business hours: 765-524-7743, email CarlWilliams@idoc.in.govClick to edit this placeholder text.


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