Corrections Daily - 04.29.2020
dia...@coloradocure.org
From: Vincent Ryan <vinc...@aca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 10:57 AM
Subject: Corrections Daily - 04.29.2020
Corrections Daily is a news summary provided to ACA leadership and correctional leaders throughout the United States.
ACA is now extending Corrections Daily to all ACA members to keep you updated on the latest corrections-related news from around the world.
CORRECTIONS DAILY – 04.29.2020
Texas corrections officer with COVID-19 dies
KWTX CBS-10
By: KWTX Staff April 28, 2020
“Coy D. Coffman, Jr., 65, a corrections officer at the Teford Unit in New Boston, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on April 19, died Sunday evening, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice says. Coffman was a nine-year TDCJ veteran. “The COVID-19 virus has changed our state and our agency forever, but no one can imagine the impact to the Coffman family who has lost someone so close,” TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier said. “The thoughts and prayers of the TDCJ family are with those close to Officer Coffman. He died in the service of all Texans.”
https://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Two-more-Texas-prison-inmates-with-COVID-19-die-569978621.html
First New Orleans deputy to die of coronavirus was 'one to open her home'
NOLA.com
By: Matt Sledge April 28, 2020
“Vanessa Mackey, on April 15 became the first Sheriff’s Office deputy to die from COVID-19. Mackey did not have regular contact with inmates, but the death of a deputy known for her buoyant personality underscored the disease’s toll at an agency that has had a significant outbreak. Colleagues last week flooded social media with tributes… Mackey, 59, was a Lower 9th Ward native who lived in Marrero. She had two daughters, two sons, and five grandchildren. Her biological relatives were only a tiny fraction of the large chosen family Mackey created around her, according to Scott and Henrisha Williams, another daughter. Neighbor kids on their block called her “Mama Nessa.”
https://www.nola.com/news/coronavirus/article_75765212-8999-11ea-a54f-bb8d7c855c61.html
[Oklahoma] Prison guard recovering after reported stabbing at Hominy correctional facility
Tulsa World
By: Staff Reports April 28, 2020
“Two inmates allegedly stabbed a prison guard Saturday at a Hominy correctional facility. The guard was treated and released from a nearby hospital, according to an Oklahoma Department of Corrections news release. Inmates Jerry Clemons, 37, and Noah Delana, 25, allegedly stabbed a correctional officer on Saturday at Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy. Prison officials transferred Clemons and Delana to Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester after the alleged assault… DOC officials are investigating the assault and will present a case to the District Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges.”
Oregon prisons to restart treatment programs after coronavirus shutdown
Oregon Live (The Oregonian)
By: Noelle Crombie April 28, 2020
“The Oregon Department of Corrections on Tuesday said it would restart drug and alcohol treatment programs that come with early release incentives starting next week. The agency’s abrupt suspension of the programs in March because of the new coronavirus meant an estimated 200 nonviolent offenders would lose their early release dates and stay in prison for weeks or months… Coffee Creek and Columbia River will resume treatment programs next week. Powder River will follow suit the week after that… The department halted the programs to limit the number of people coming in and out of the state’s prisons because of the coronavirus… Inmates who successfully complete the drug and alcohol treatment programs typically see their sentences reduced by up to 20 percent. People convicted of Measure 11 offenses -- violent crimes that carry mandatory minimum sentences – do not qualify for early release.”
Delaware Online (USA Today network)
By: Nick Perez April 28, 2020
“The Delaware Department of Correction has partnered with the Division of Public Health to use rapid testing as more inmates and correctional officers test positive for COVID-19… Rapid test kits are limited, but on-site processing equipment will be used to get results within 30 minutes, officials said Tuesday in a statement. “The use of rapid testing and results is one more tool we are using to quickly isolate and contain any new cases of COVID-19 in the state’s largest prison to prevent widespread contamination,” Commissioner Claire DeMatteis said in a statement. “It is a comprehensive protocol of testing, twice-daily temperature checks, screenings, intensive cleanings and minimizing movement throughout the prison to stay one step ahead of this virus.”
[North Carolina] State prison inmates make masks for Rowan sheriff’s office
Salisbury Post
By: Shavonne Potts April 29, 2020
“SALISBURY — Inmates in North Carolina have made over 130,000 washable face masks that have been distributed within state prisons following the COVID-19 outbreak. Now the work of inmates extends to many North Carolina Sheriff’s offices. This week, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office acquired 350 washable face masks through a state prison partnership with the N.C. Department of Public Safety’s Correction Enterprises. At the state level, the N.C. Department of Public Security oversees the state’s prison division… There are more than 30 different production facilities throughout the state that manufacture products including clothing, furniture, janitorial supplies, signs, eyeglasses and metal products. In early March, inmates with Correction Enterprises began producing washable masks, face shields and washable gowns for prisons concentrating on facilities that were hardest hit with coronavirus cases… The Department of Public Safety shared via its website that in March it had distributed 3,500 washable masks and produced 6,000 masks produced per week, 60 face shields per hour and 200 to 300 washable gowns each week.”
https://www.salisburypost.com/2020/04/29/state-prison-inmates-make-masks-for-rowan-sheriffs-office/
Cision PR Newswire
By: Guardian RFID Press Release April 29, 2020
“GUARDIAN RFID, AWS, Securus Technologies, and GTL today announce a collaborative effort to help support the Warrior Foundation's initiative to purchase and distribute up to 250,000 free N95, KN95, surgical, and 3-ply disposable masks to combat the spread of COVID-19 in U.S. correctional facilities… Protective masks will be made available to U.S. jails and prisons most impacted by COVID-19, with emphasis on N95 and KN95 masks being distributed to correctional officers, medical staff, civilian workers, and those incarcerated individuals positively diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus. Surgical or disposable 3-ply masks will be distributed to non-infected incarcerated individuals as availability allows… All organizations interested in donating masks or making financial contributions to support the Warrior Foundation's disaster relief efforts should visit WarriorFoundation.us… The Warrior Foundation is a wholly separate 501(c)(3) organized under the United States federal tax code whose mission is to provide philanthropic support for members of the Thin Gray Line through disaster relief efforts. For more information, please visit WarriorFoundation.us.”
BleachMaker helps Kentucky correctional facilities combat spread of COVID-19
The Lane Report
By: Lane Report Staff April 28, 2020
“global health organization WaterStep will provide its patented BleachMaker to 22 prisons and jails throughout the state. The BleachMaker is a small tool that uses salt, water and a power source to produce concentrated disinfectant used to sanitize surfaces or diluted as hand sanitizer… With bleach and sanitation supplies in limited quantity, the BleachMaker provides a viable solution for anyone that needs to sanitize areas daily. The BleachMaker was created to combat the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014. It is a handheld device that produces disinfectant strong enough to meet the world health organization’s standards, and can be used to sanitize hospitals and medical clinics, kitchens, and clothing. The device was recognized with an award for Environmental Protection’s New Product of the Year in 2016.”
[Texas] Nueces Co. Jail undergoes some light cleaning
KRIS 6 News (Corpus Christi, TX)
By: Ashley Portillo April 28, 2020
“The Nueces Co. Sheriff’s Department is using newer forms of technology, such as UV decontamination, to clean and disinfect inside jails… KRIS 6 News went to the McKinzie Annex jail, where cleaning crews were disinfecting on Tuesday evening, to see how it works. The cleaning equipment kills germs in all the hard-to-reach areas. A group of four cleaners dress in protective gear -- such as white suits, boots, gloves, eyewear and face shields -- and clean all areas first. Then, they place three or four UVC lights and fans in common areas such as hallways, visitor’s areas or classrooms. "A classroom is one of those transitional areas inside our jail where people come and go,” [Sheriff J.C.] Hooper said… "The fans circulate the invisible contaminants,” he said. “They keep the air moving to create more of a target-rich environment for those those UV lights."… It takes about 20 minutes to disinfect a large room. Hooper said the technology also is used in hospitals. It can kill germs that cause colds and the flu, and other things such as E.coli and mold.”
https://www.kristv.com/news/coronavirus/nueces-co-jail-undergoes-some-light-cleaning
[Wisconsin] The Marathon County Sheriff's Office adds a UVC machine to its disinfecting process
WSAW-TV (CBS)
By: Reece Van Haaften April 28, 2020
“The Marathon County Sheriff's Office has a new toy. It’s real name is Skytron, but they call it 'Rosie.' “It gives off a UVC light, which disinfects the air," said Lt. Jamie Durchowski. "(It) kills all viruses.” The sheriff's office could buy Rosie thanks to a grant from the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program. The department also bought an Ozone machine, along with a few other disinfectant machines. “(We’re) covering all our bases getting as much disinfectant equipment as we can up here,” said Durchowski… Once clearing the room is done, all they have to do is plug it in. The process is saving the Marathon County Sheriff's Office time and energy. “It can disinfect a bigger area within 15-20 minutes where our Ozone machines take 3-4 hours to do it,” said Durchowski.”
[New York] NYSCOPBA: Drugs mailed to Moravia prison part of 'consistent trend' in NYS
Auburn Public Citizen
By: The Citizen Staff April 29, 2020
“Corrections officers in New York state are reporting more attempts to smuggle drugs into prisons through the mail… Two packages mailed to the Moravia prison in the last month contained synthetic marijuana, part of what the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association said Tuesday was a "consistent trend" of drugs being sent to inmates through the mail… On April 10, officers found a "green leafy substance" in 14 fruit snack packages… the drugs collectively weighed more than 8 ounces and were mailed from a Rochester address. The second attempt to smuggle synthetic marijuana was discovered in Attica on April 14, after an officer noticed "abnormalities" in two cans of fish, according to the release. The cans, which were in a package shipped from Brooklyn, contained two cellophane bundles with synthetic marijuana and two bundles of orange strips. The strips tested positive for the opioid-related drugs buprenorphine, hydrochloride and naloxone. A similar incident was reported earlier in the month at Five Points Correctional Facility in Seneca County. Illegal drugs — including synthetic marijuana, cocaine power and prescription pills — were found stuffed in latex glove finger tips inside a head of lettuce.”
[Wisconsin] Second Woman Arrested, Accused of Aiding Prison Escape
Associated Press
By: AP News Service April 29, 2020
“PORTAGE, Wis. (AP) — A second woman has been arrested and accused of helping two inmates who recently escaped from a maximum-security prison in Wisconsin. The 46-year-old Madison woman drove a vehicle that picked up Thomas Deering and James Newman from a grocery store in Poynette hours after they escaped from the Columbia Correctional Institution April 16, sheriff’s officials said. Poynette is about 12 miles from Portage. The woman has not been formally charged. Deering and Newman scaled two fences at the prison and threw clothing over the barbed wire to escape, according to officials. Another woman, 46-year-old Holly Zimdahl, has been charged with aiding in the inmates’ escape, the State Journal reported. Zimdahl is accused of providing items to the inmates to help them escape. She told investigators she received threatening messages against herself and her family while working at the prison kitchen.”
https://apnews.com/12801ff1303a70818fd0c6b28054d9f9
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Vincent Ryan