With a current inmate population of 361 and a staff of 149, including administration and support staff, the Lebanon County Correctional Facility at 730 East Walnut Street could be a location ripe for fomenting an infectious disease.
But with proper distancing protocols in place, education, and increased cleaning, the LCCF has, as of this date, prevented the introduction of the COVID-19 virus into the facility.
A number of inmates have been tested for the coronavirus, but all tests have been negative so far, said Jamie Wolgemuth, county administrator and public information officer.
No staff members have been tested for the coronavirus, but each employee receives daily screenings, including a temperature check.
No one is being quarantined and no inmate or staff member has been hospitalized, Wolgemuth said via an email.
More than two weeks ago, contact visitation at the prison was prohibited for the time being, while the frequency of cleaning surfaces has been increased.
All work release participants are not permitted to leave the facility for the time being.
Screenings of all staff and incoming inmates are conducted daily by the prison’s medical staff, including temperature checks for the new inmates, Wolgemuth said.
“Our medical provider has given inmates educational materials on social distancing,” Wolgemuth said. “Foot traffic in the corridors and blocks is also being controlled to provide distancing.”
Inmates are served their meals in the cell, the usual customary practice.
The work-release block inmates have bunks that are sufficiently separated and may eat their meals there, Wolgemuth said.
Inmates are policing themselves in keeping distance from each other, as much as possible, he said.
Read all of LebTown’s COVID-19 coverage here.
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