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Family and Friends Newsletter | July 2020
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Quarantine and Isolation
Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with COVID-19 and those with no symptoms) from people who are not infected. Isolation wings are utilized for offenders who test positive for COVID-19 and those who have had close contact with them. Staff who test positive or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive are isolated at home. Staff are required to wear PPE while in the isolation unit. Meals are delivered in the unit.
Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have had limited exposure away from others who are infected and others who have tested negative or who have not had contact with COVID-19. Offenders in the quarantined unit are fed in the dining room with others from their unit. The dining room is sanitized between each group of offenders. Offenders are required to clear their tray and submerse the tray in bleach water before it is handled by a food service worker.
The situation is ever evolving, so changes may be made to operations as deemed necessary.
Everyone is encouraged to wash their hands, avoid close contact with others, avoid touching face with unwashed hands, clean work/living area and wear the provided face coverings as much as possible in the unique institutional environment.
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COVID-Free Facilities Welcome Visitors
As the department continues mass COVID-19 testing at all facilities, we're beginning a gradual return to more normal operations at locations with no cases of the virus. Limited visiting is underway, with restrictions and by appointment only, at Algoa Correctional Center, Maryville Treatment Center and South Central Correctional Center. Jefferson City Correctional Center will resume restricted visiting on August 6. Call the facility to schedule an appointment at these facilities.
New restrictions are in place to protect health and safety:
- Visiting rooms are at 30% capacity, and each offender’s visitor(s) are spaced apart from other visitors
- All visitors must pass COVID-19 screening with a temperature check before entering the check-in area
- No visitors exhibiting signs of illness
- Maximum of 2 visitors per offender
- Maximum of 2 visits per month
- Visits restricted to 2 hours in length with 45-minute break between visits to sanitize all surfaces
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No minors under age 18
- Any visitor or offender with a serious underlying medical condition should refrain from visiting
- All visitors, staff and offenders are required to wear a face cover or mask while in the visiting area
- Face covers are inspected/searched for contraband and must be lowered when entering/exiting for identification
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No contact between visitor and offender
- Visitors may use beverage vending machines only, one person at at time. No drink sharing.
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No food vending, microwaves, water fountain or sink use
- No offender on quarantine status may visit
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No games may be checked out
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Children’s areas remain closed
- No pictures
Updates will be provided as available.
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Mass testing of offenders and staff has been conducted at the following facilities and will continue at the rest of the state correctional centers over the next few weeks:
- Algoa Correctional Center
- Boonville Correctional Center
- Chillicothe Correctional Center
- Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center
- Farmington Correctional Center
- Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center
- Jefferson City Correctional Center
- Maryville Treatment Center
- Ozark Correctional Center
- South Central Correctional Center
- Southeast Correctional Center
- Tipton Correctional Center
- Women's Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center
- Western Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center
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Thank you family and friends of incarcerated individuals for your patience during the pandemic. The Department has had to make tough decisions about operations in response to COVID-19 and your understanding is greatly appreciated. We recognize the impact has been difficult for you and your loved one. We look forward to gradually resuming operations as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, be safe, take care of yourself and please continue to provide encouragement to your loved one.
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