Tuesday, March 24, 2020 | 7:16 PM
This email is to keep you updated on significant developments related to CDCR's COVID-19 response.
 

Today's updates ·      California Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an Executive Order with the following directives to CDCR:
o  Suspend intake of all incarcerated persons into both adult state prison and Division of Juvenile Justice facilities from the county level for a minimum of 30 days.
o  Directed the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) to develop a process for conducting parole hearings by videoconference for all participants to attend.
o  BPH directed to cease conducting in-person parole hearings for 60 days and postpone any scheduled parole hearings until April 13, or earlier if video conferencing capability is made available.
§ For the next 60 days, and for the term of any extensions, inmates scheduled for a parole hearing can elect to continue with their timely parole hearing by videoconference, to accept a postponement, or to waive their hearing.
o  For more details on the Governor’s Executive Order visit the Office of the Governor’s website here.
·      CDCR has suspended transfers of inmates into the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP), the Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program (CCTRP), and the Alternative Custody Program (ACP) through April 6, 2020. CDCR has taken this step to limit potential exposure of staff to COVID-19 during inmate transfers to the community. Additionally, as part of this program, incarcerated persons remain under the jurisdiction and responsibility of CDCR, to include providing any required medical attention. Releasing incarcerated persons to these programs could potentially expose them to COVID-19 in the community which would require their transfer back to an institution for medical care for non-emergent health care needs, increasing risk for potential exposure within our institutions.
·      CDCR has also suspended transfers of inmates to the Conservation Camp program until further notice. Inmate transfers previously initiated under the approved guidelines, that are currently on layover, will be moved to their final destination.
 
Executives and staff at CDCR and CCHCS are working closely with infectious disease control experts to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our operations. To ensure CDCR and CCHCS are ready to immediately respond to any COVID-19 related incident, the Agency activated the Department Operations Center (DOC) in order to be fully prepared to respond to any departmental impacts resulting from COVID-19.

CDCR and CCHCS are dedicated to the safety of everyone who lives in, works in, and visits our state prisons. We have longstanding outbreak management plans in place to address communicable disease outbreaks such as influenza, measles, mumps, norovirus, and varicella, as well as preparedness procedures to address a variety of medical emergencies and natural disasters.

We are bolstering our response readiness by taking several proactive steps to educate those who work in, live in, and visit our facilities regarding ways they can protect themselves and those around them from COVID-19.

 

(Previous updates below)

Expanded precautions at institutions and office locations
CDCR and CCHCS have implemented mandatory verbal screening for every person entering any work location, in line with screenings in place at prisons since March 14. Those attempting to enter a state prison or office building at any time are required to verbally respond if they currently have new or worsening symptoms of a respiratory illness. If the individual’s response is that they are experiencing symptoms, they will be restricted from entering the site that day.

All CDCR institutions have been instructed to conduct additional deep-cleaning efforts in high-traffic, high-volume areas, including visiting and health care facilities. Additional hand sanitizer dispensing stations are being procured and will be placed inside adult institution entrances and visiting areas.

Staff have been granted permission to carry up to two ounces of personal-use hand sanitizer. The incarcerated population is being provided extra soap when requested and hospital-grade disinfectant that meets Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for COVID-19.

CDCR and CCHCS have suspended tuberculosis (TB) testing clinics for staff at all locations statewide, including institutions, in accordance with recommended limitations on gatherings. Testing will be rescheduled as appropriate.

CDCR and CCHCS have been actively monitoring and assessing institutions to ensure staff have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment to immediately address any potential COVID-19 exposures, and to protect staff and incarcerated people. The workgroup will continue to collaborate and maintain open lines of communication with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to identify any deficiencies and ensure adequate supplies are available at each institution on an ongoing basis.

Screening on entry into prisons
All incarcerated persons received into a Reception Center institution are placed into an automatic 14-day quarantine for monitoring. For more on CDCR and CCHCS quarantine protocols, visit our COVID-19 Status webpage.

Immediately upon entry, all inmates are screened for symptoms of influenza-like illness (lLl) including COVID-l9. The inmate populations that must be screened include, but are not limited to, those entering via reception centers, receiving and release locations and fire camps, and returning from court, a higher level of care, or an offsite specialty appointment.

The screening shall include asking an individual if they have a cough, fever and/or difficulty breathing, and taking their temperature. Based on the screening questions, temperature reading, and health care staff’s clinical judgement, the individual will either be placed in isolation, quarantine or other housing.

Social distancing
CDCR has implemented several practices to encourage “social distancing,” which is a strategy recommended by public health officials to stop the spread of contagious diseases. Social distancing requires the creation of physical space between individuals, minimizing gatherings, and ensuring space between individuals when events or activities cannot be modified, postponed, or canceled. Achieving space between individuals of approximately six feet is advisable.

The incarcerated population has received information about social distancing, and staff and inmates are practicing social distancing strategies where possible, including limiting groups to no more than 10, assigning bunks to provide more space between individuals, rearranging scheduled movements to minimize mixing of people from different housing areas, encouraging social distancing during yard time, and adjusting dining schedules where possible to allow for social distancing and additional cleaning and disinfecting of dining halls between groups.

Transportation/Receiving and Release protocols
Effective March 24, CDCR will suspend intake of all incarcerated persons into both adult state prison and Division of Juvenile Justice facilities for a minimum of 30 days. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order directing CDCR to suspend intake into state correctional facilities for 30 days. All persons convicted of felonies shall be received, detained, or housed in a jail or other facility currently detaining or housing them for that period. The order allows the CDCR Secretary to grant one or more 30-day extensions if suspension continues to be necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of inmates and juveniles in CDCR’s custody and staff who work in the facilities.
 
CDCR has suspended transfers of inmates into the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP), the Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program (CCTRP), and the Alternative Custody Program (ACP) through April 6, 2020. CDCR has taken this step to limit potential exposure of staff to COVID-19 during inmate transfers to the community. Additionally, as part of this program, incarcerated persons remain under the jurisdiction and responsibility of CDCR, to include providing any required medical attention. Releasing incarcerated persons to these programs could potentially expose them to COVID-19 in the community which would require their transfer back to an institution for medical care for non-emergent health care needs, increasing risk for potential exposure within our institutions.
 
CDCR has also suspended transfers of inmates to the Conservation Camp program until further notice. Inmate transfers previously initiated under the approved guidelines, who are currently on layover, will be moved to their final destination.

Department of State Hospitals and CDCR/CCHCS will not transfer patients between the two mental health treatment agencies for the next 30 days. All appropriate health care services will be provided to the patient by the current housing agency.

 

CDCR has limited transfers of inmates between CDCR facilities to only the following scenarios: removal to and from restricted housing units; transfer from reception centers after being assessed by medical and other staff; for medical and mental health needs; conservation camps, Male Community Reentry Program, Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program; Alternative Custody Program; Modified Community Correctional Facilities due to deactivation efforts; and ordered court appearances.

 

For inmates coming into the CDCR system, or who are being transported in the above scenarios; we are completing a comprehensive health screening and assessment by health care professionals when they are both processed into and out of an institution; including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration screenings. They are also asked a series of questions about their state of health.

All Interstate Compact Agreement transfers of out-of-state parolees and inmates to California will cease for 30 days.

 

Visiting
CDCR’s inmate telephone network provider Global Tel Link (GTL) has offered the adult incarcerated population two days of free phone calls. The first was held March 19, the next will take place from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 26. The youth within the Division of Juvenile Justice already receive free phone calls. There is no limit on number of calls; however, each institution may limit time to accommodate need.

CDCR’s electronic messaging provider JPay is now offering two free stamps per week for all registered users at the five pilot sites that currently have the technology; High Desert State Prison, Kern Valley State Prison, California Institution for Women, Central California Women’s Facility, and Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran. At some of these institutions, only certain yards currently have this technology. Stamps are added to JPay accounts each Friday.

As part of CDCR’s COVID-19 prevention efforts, normal visiting at adult and juvenile facilities is canceled statewide until further notice based on California Department of Public Health guidance for mass gatherings. This includes overnight family visits and Division of Juvenile Justice visiting.

Institution executives have been instructed to find opportunities to allow increased phone access for the incarcerated population so they may keep in touch with their support system, while also practicing social distancing and other infectious disease safety protocols.

At this time, legal/attorney visits and hospice visits will be held as scheduled. Marriages will be postponed, those affected are encouraged to work with the institution’s Community Resource Manager regarding rescheduling for a later date.

Rehabilitative programs and volunteers
Non-CDCR/CCHCS/CALPIA staff will not be permitted to enter state prison until further notice. This includes people who enter state prison as volunteers, or to facilitate rehabilitative programs. Paid union representatives, and Inmate Ward Labor (IWL) staff will be permitted. CalVet representatives and contractors who work with institution staff to conduct interviews and provide forensic evaluations for incarcerated veterans to receive federal disability benefits for themselves and their families pursuant to Senate Bill 776 will also be permitted.

 

No rehabilitative programs, group events, or in-person educational classes will take place until further notice. At this time, all tours and events have been postponed, and no new tours are being scheduled.

 

Education
The Office of Correctional Education is working with institution principals, library staff, and teachers to provide in-cell assignments where possible in order for students to continue their studies, legal library access and educational credit-earning opportunities. For those in our incarcerated population who need supplementary academic support, CDCR has encouraged Disability Placement Program, Developmental Disability Program, and Every Student Succeeds Act staff to coordinate with the institution instructor to provide additional assistance to enrolled students where possible.

Standardized testing has stopped until further notice, although we are encouraging education staff to continue to engage their students as much as possible to stay focused on their rehabilitation and positive programming during this time.

Recreation and Law Library Services will continue to be available to the incarcerated population even if physical access is restricted due to safety and security measures.

Religious programs
CDCR recognizes the importance of religion in the daily life and spiritual growth of incarcerated people. Unfortunately, the department has limited group religious programming for upcoming holidays such as Ramadan, Passover, and Easter. These services will be provided as in-cell services as an alternative. CDCR will provide the appropriate Ramadan and Passover daily meals to allow incarcerated people to observe their religious meal traditions, including appropriately beginning and breaking their Ramadan fast.

Chaplains will conduct individual religious counseling as appropriate while maintaining social distancing, and CDCR is working to provide televised religious services to the population.

Health care services
The health and safety of our population is of critical importance to CDCR and CCHCS. While our agency is working together to prepare for and respond to COVID-19, we will continue to provide urgent health care services. To reduce risks to both patients and staff, inmate movement will be minimized. In addition, some specialty and routine care may be delayed as a result of both internal redirections and external closures. All cancelled appointments will be rescheduled as soon as safely possible. Health care staff will continue to see and treat patients through the 7362 process and those with flu-like symptoms will be tested for COVID-19 as appropriate.

Dental care
The California Dental Association recommends that all non-urgent dental care be suspended for the next 14 days. Effective immediately and until further notice, dental treatment shall be limited to Dental Priority Classification (DPC) 1 conditions (urgent care). For more information on what qualifies as urgent care, view HCDOM 3.3.5.4.

Specialty care appointments
In order to reduce risks to patients and staff, all non-urgent offsite specialty appointments will be re-scheduled to a later time. Telemedicine appointments will continue at this time.
Board of Parole Hearings/Parole suitability hearings
All in-person Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) parole suitability hearings are postponed for a minimum of 60 days, with any scheduled parole hearings postponed until at least April 13. BPH is working to develop a process for conducting parole hearings by videoconference for all participants to attend, including incarcerated persons, attorneys, commissioners, and victims/victims next-of-kin. Parole suitability hearings may resume earlier once BPH is able to provide video-conferencing.

 

Division of Adult Parole Operations
The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) is committed to the safety of the community, staff, and those in its care. Given the increased risk associated with the use of mass/public transportation and those under parole supervision deemed a high-risk population (older adults and those with known serious chronic medical conditions), DAPO will make some operational changes to support both staff and the individuals under their care and supervision, including suspending lobby traffic except for initial parole interviews and emergencies, and suspending office visits for those age 65 and older and/or with chronic medical conditions.

 

All parolees’ conditions of parole remain in place, with the exception of the items listed above. DAPO administrators and supervisors will assess all measures being implemented and adjust, modify, or waive required specifications as appropriate. Any questions parolees may have related to COVID-19 prevention efforts should be directed to their Parole Agent. Learn more here.

 

Modified Community Correctional Facilities and Community Reentry Programs
CDCR’s in-state contract facilities are conducting verbal screenings of staff and participants who enter the facilities. Those attempting to enter one of these facilities are required to verbally respond if they currently have symptoms of a respiratory illness. Visiting has also been halted at these facilities until further notice.

CDCR is committed to continuing education programs and limiting the impact our COVID-19 response has on positive rehabilitative programming for our Community Reentry Programs. Rehabilitative programs at the reentry facilities will continue with modifications made to class sizes to encourage social distancing, with some potential program closures.

At this time, participants are generally restricted from leaving the facilities outside of mandated legal reasons, urgent medical needs, if they are employed in the community, or for critical reentry services related to those within 30-45 days of release.

Participants age 65 or older are only eligible for passes to go out in the community for emergency situations only.

Visiting has been canceled at the Community Prisoner Mother Program (CPMP) in line with recommendations from public health officials and the cessation of visiting at CDCR locations statewide. This includes scheduled off-site visits for children residing at CPMP with their mothers. Family members may continue to drop approved items such as diapers, wipes, baby food and baby snacks (for children under 1), during normal visiting hours even during closure. CPMP staff are diligently working to ensure the mothers’ and children’s needs are met and supplies are readily available with a surplus where needed. They are working closely with community healthcare providers and medical staff at nearby California Institution for Women to keep all required appointments for mothers and children.

Population communication
To keep members of our population informed, we have created and distributed fact sheets and posters in both English and Spanish that provide education on COVID-19 and precautions recommended by CDC, which expand upon those advised during cold and flu season. We have also begun streaming CDC educational videos on the CDCR Division of Rehabilitative Programs inmate television network and the CCHCS inmate health care television network. Learn more here.

Additionally, we are providing regular department updates regarding COVID-19 response to the Statewide Inmate Family Council and all institutional Inmate Family Councils who serve the family and friends of the incarcerated population to ensure they are aware of the steps the department is taking to protect their loved ones housed in our institutions.

Peace officer hiring and academies
Written peace officer exams are suspended until April 6, 2020. The health and safety of our staff, cadets, and candidates is a top priority. CDCR is taking all the available precautions to ensure a safe and healthy environment. These precautions include regular office cleanings, hand sanitizer/gloves when applicable, reduced testing and physical fitness group sizes, and social distancing.

The Basic Correctional Officer Academy (BCOA) that is currently underway has been accelerated to allow graduation to move from May 1, 2020, to April 7, 2020. The BCOA scheduled to start Tuesday, March 24, will be postponed for at least 30 days.

Communication and guidance to staff
We have worked continuously to keep staff informed of the evolving situation, including creating internal and external webpages with health-related information from CDC and California Department of Public Health on how they can protect themselves against COVID-19. We have also provided staff with California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) updates on personnel and work-related questions specific to the COVID-19 issue.

CDCR and CCHCS care for the health and wellness of its workforce and have been working to accommodate those who have been impacted by this evolving situation. We will continue to work diligently with CalHR and labor organizations on how we can best keep our workforce protected and provide for the safety and security of our institutions.

For more employee resources related to COVID-19, see our webpage here: https ://www.cdcr.ca.gov/covid19/information/.