 The Michigan Department of Corrections is committed to providing our employees with up-to-date information as it relates to our efforts in dealing with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Following the detection of a positive test result today of the SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.7 variant at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility, prisoners and employees there will now be tested daily.
Under the Emergency Public Health order issued by MDHHS on Aug. 19, 2020, which required weekly testing of all employees, it also requires the department to take all necessary precautions in accordance with relevant guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) to prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
After discussions with MDHHS, it was determined this additional level of testing was necessary to protect prisoners, staff and the community.
This will also apply to certain prisoners and staff at Duane Waters Health Center and Macomb Correctional Facility.
Prior to the detection of the variant at IBC, several prisoners who tested positive for COVID-19 were transferred to DWH and MRF due to their comorbidities so they could have access to appropriate care if they began experiencing more severe symptoms.
Those prisoners will also be subject to the daily testing, as well as all prisoners and staff in the covid positive unit at DWH and MRF.
This variant has been shown to transmit more efficiently than the regular strain of the virus, although the severity of resulting illness is not yet clear. As part of the state’s effort to limit the spread of this variant, the MDOC will be taking extra steps to identify where this variant is present amongst staff and the prisoner population.
This new testing regimen will consist of a daily BinaxNOW rapid test. If a test result comes back positive, then a PCR test will be taken and sent to the state lab for testing for the variant.
This testing would be for every employee and prisoner, every day, regardless of whether they have tested positive in the past 90 days. The regular weekly PCR testing will not take place during the period that daily tests are performed.
Consistent with how staff refusals have been handled with the weekly testing, staff who do not participate in the daily testing will be ineligible for work.
MDHHS does not have an end date for the daily tests, but we will provide you with updated information on when the daily tests can be discontinued.
We are working on the ability to provide accommodations to assist staff at these facilities in the event they need to isolate themselves from those they live with. We will provide more information to those employees as soon as it is available.
For MDOC employees who attended the vaccination clinic at IBC on Friday, at this point we have no reports of anyone at the clinic being exposed, but out of an abundance of caution you are reminded to follow the guidelines for social distancing and handwashing. Should we be made aware of any exposures involving employees, they will be notified.
We thank you for your patience as we work through this and please know we will continue to do all we can to protect you and your family from this variant.
Based on available evidence, current tests and vaccines for COVID-19 also work against this new variant. Protective actions that prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also prevent the spread of the new variant, B.1.1.7. Michiganders should:
Get vaccinated for COVID-19.
Wear a mask around others.
Stay 6 feet apart from others.
Wash hands often.
Ventilate indoor spaces.
 Earlier today, Michigan State Industries held a virtual tour to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new MSI Janitorial Operations space at Parnall Correctional Facility. MSI Janitorial was previously housed at Detroit Reentry Center. MSI Administrator Chris Kamrada introduced MSI Janitorial staff and thanked them for their hard work and dedication, not only during the transition to SMT but throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MSI Janitorial Operations provides critical essential services and products to assist MDOC and outside customers in the fight against COVID-19. A wide range of chemical products are offered to address a full range of janitorial needs that are strictly upheld by MIOSHA (Michigan Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Agency) standards. The Janitorial Operations team and Service Technician staff have met challenges head on during overwhelming product demands, raw material vendor shortages, and prisoner worker lay-ins during the pandemic. We appreciate the hard work of Janitorial Plant Manager Curtis White, Industries Supervisor Greg Dancer, General Office Assistant Julia Fitten, Industries Production Leader Brian Mullin and Service Technicians Mike Osiecki and Terry Schade.
During today's event, MSI also recognized the hard work of MSI's MDOC, State of Michigan, and community partners, who all worked together to expedite the project, which made the move possible in just five months, despite a global pandemic.
"I'm very grateful for everyone's hard work and for everyone working together toward the success of this project." said Director Washington.
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Governor Whitmer has proclaimed February as Black History Month in Michigan, in recognition of the significant cultural, historical, and economic contributions African Americans have made to the development of America and the American way of life, while encouraging each of us to take time to reflect on the systemic barriers Black Americans have faced and still face to this day.
Michigan is home to countless Black Americans who have made significant contributions to our state. For Black History Month, The Michigan Department of Civil Rights is featuring a week of daily messages on each of four individuals. Each week they will focus on one person’s story told in seven snippets. Today we begin to learn about Ingrid Scott-Weekley, the longtime director of Grand Rapid's Equal Opportunity Office.
Ingrid Scott-Weekley may not be well known outside of west Michigan, but she was a towering figure in Grand Rapids and the region. Her commitment to civil rights was lifelong and unwavering.
A Mississippi native, Scott-Weekley grew up in southern California and moved to Grand Rapids after getting a law degree. She worked for Legal Aid of Western Michigan, was director of affirmative action for Grand Valley State University and in 1989 was hired to lead the city's Equal Opportunity Office.
Among her roles through the years: enforcing equal-employment laws, promoting fair housing and advocating the city do more business with companies owned by minorities. She also was a driving force behind the effort to bring a statue of Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks to the downtown circle bearing her name.
Two women are in jail and two prisoners are in segregation following great teamwork that stopped the introduction of contraband into SLF via drone over the weekend.
On Saturday, the Michigan State Police informed inspector Ernesto Salinas of drone activity north of the prison. The facility shut down the yards and began immediate pat downs and yard searches.
The St. Louis police department responded to the drone activity and found two females in a vehicle. One of them was already on the radar of the facility as they had been monitoring communications between her and a prisoner as talked of plans for a drone to drop drugs into the facility.
MSP tracking dogs were able to recover the drone with a package still attached to it and found several strips of Suboxone, paper suspected to contain K-2, and a cell phone. Both females were arrested and lodged at the Gratiot County Jail. The prisoners were placed in segregation and a weapon was found during a search of their cell.
This was an example of great teamwork between MSP, Gratiot County Sheriff’s Department, St. Louis Police Department, and MDOC staff who all worked together to stop the introduction of this contraband into the prison.
At the Michigan Department of Corrections, retaliation is not acceptable in any way.
Staff and prisoners have a right to file lawsuits and be free from retaliation if they chose to do so.
Retaliation of either prisoners or staff, based on their participation in a lawsuit as either a plaintiff or a witness, is not allowed.
Staff are cautioned from discussing legal claims, lawsuits, or settlements, including conduct or communications that would identify anyone who participated in a lawsuit.
We will not tolerate any form of retaliation.
The MDOC has successfully secured enough of the vaccine so that every facility and field employee who indicated they wish to receive the vaccine can do so, and staff across the department have begun to receive the vaccine.
Staff vaccinations took place today at the four Jackson facilities, JCF, JCS, RGC and SMT, and at WHV in Ypsilanti (pictured here). On Wednesday, Feb. 10, staff vaccinations are scheduled at Baraga and Saginaw correctional facilities, and staff vaccinations at Oaks Correctional Facility are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 11.
We will provide more detailed information with facility-specific information as it becomes available.
Some county health departments will be working with the Michigan National Guard to administer the vaccine to staff at the facilities, others will be providing staff to administer the vaccines at the facilities, and others will organize community based clinics where staff will receive the vaccines. We are grateful to the Michigan National Guard for their help in distributing the safe and effective vaccine to our employees.
Vaccination is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged.
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 It is important for everyone to remain vigilant and continue to take steps to help break the chain of infection and slow the spread, both while at work and while in the community.
You can find more information at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus
On February 8, there were 26 new positive cases to report, including:
Bellamy Creek Correctional - 11
Charles Egeler Reception & Guidance - 6
Kinross Correctional - 5
Oaks Correctional - 4
*Results are downloaded each afternoon and are reported after they are added into the medical record following receipt of information from labs.
You can also find a full listing of cumulative testing and total results by facility here.
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