Message from Director Anne Precythe: Probation & Parole Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID-19

April 2, 2020

Good afternoon, MODOC team:

The Missouri Department of Corrections has received notification that a Division of Probation and Parole team member who works in the field in Kansas City has tested positive for COVID-19. He is currently receiving treatment in an area hospital. The staff member has been working remotely in recent weeks and last entered the office on March 20.

This notification marks the third case of COVID-19 reported among MODOC staff in the state. The previous cases, reported March 27 and March 30, occurred in Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri. At this time, there are no other positive COVID-19 test results among staff or clients in Kansas City.

No COVID-19 cases have been reported among prison staff.

Please be advised that all protocols have been followed to minimize exposure. All staff who have been in contact with the infected staff member have been notified. If you have not received notification that you are suspected of having had contact with this staff member, that means you are not considered to be at risk.

The office is being cleaned. Although all Division of Probation and Parole offices remain open and minimally staffed with essential employees, officers are continuing to supervise clients by way of community visits, phone contact, video visits and electronic monitoring.

I would like to remind you that it is vitally important during this time to be aware that misinformation can cause unnecessary alarm and potential harm. Reporting test results of our team members is a delicate balance. Please respect the privacy of our staff members who have tested positive for this virus and extend that respect in all of your communications, including social media. If another staff member tests positive for COVID-19, we will share the results with people in the affected locations first, followed by a message to all staff.

We will continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 and make additional operational and preventative decisions as the situation evolves. Throughout the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, MODOC will post public updates on our website at https://doc.mo.gov/media-center/newsroom/covid-19.

Please keep our P&P team member in your thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery and a healthy, positive outcome.

Thank you for being a part of a team that does incredibly important work for the State of Missouri. Stay strong. Stay safe. Stay healthy.

Anne L. Precythe
Director