Staff and offenders are 'in this together'
at the Indiana State Prison
Michigan City, Ind. - Warden Ron Neal has implemented many protocols to protect the well-being of the offenders housed at Indiana State Prison and staff assigned to the facility.
The entrance into the Indiana State Prison has changed during the recent health crisis. Upon arrival at the facility there are signs at the front entrance reminding staff, “If sick, stay home”. All staff must:
- Wear a face mask;
- Practice social distancing;
- Pass symptom screening questionnaire;
- Pass temperature check.
Communication is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Knowing this, additional signage has been put-up in numerous locations to remind offenders and staff of the COVID-19 protocols. The signs remind everyone to wash their hands, cough into their elbows and maintain 6-foot social distancing. Additionally, daily reminders and updates have been placed on the offender television system.
But its not just the staff who are assisting in slowing the spread; the offenders are helping too. For instance, they have been making masks for staff and offenders to utilize. Currently, masks have been distributed and are available to every staff and offender on grounds. If for some reason the masks breaks or needs replaced a procedure is in place to request additional masks. In the few short weeks since they started production the offender seamstresses have made over 4000 masks for the facility.
Additionally, sanitation crews have been established and all of the housing units have been pressure washed with bleach water. Any common area has been scrubbed and continues to be disinfected daily. Sanitation areas have been set up for offenders and staff at the front of each cell house with alcohol-based hand sanitizer, soap and water. As needed, the Indiana State Prison utilizes the Technical Response Team to assist in deep cleaning and decontamination.
ISP's healthcare heroes have been hard at work also. Daily, temperature and symptom screenings are conducted on quarantined housing units, as well as on all offenders who are over 65 years of age. Any offender who is showing symptoms of the virus is seen by medical staff and evaluated accordingly. A designated isolation area has been set up for offenders who are symptomatic to protect the general population. Any offender who has tested positive for the virus is isolated by themselves.
Warden Neal stated, “We have an amazing group of staff working diligently every day to make the facility as safe as possible for the offender population and staff alike! My Executive Leadership Team and I are very proud of the efforts of the staff working in collaboration with the offender population at ISP. We couldn’t do this with out the assistance of one another and are in this together!”
Staff are required to wear a mask at all times while in the Indiana State Prison.
Masks made by the offenders at the Indiana State Prison
As needed, IDOC's Technical Response Team can be activated to decontaminate common areas.
Offenders continue to volunteer their assistance during COVID19 to help clean and sanitize the facility.
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