Thursday, March 26, 2020 | 5:08 PM
Good evening,
This email is to keep CDCR/CCHCS leadership, law enforcement partners,
and community stakeholders updated on significant developments related to
CDCR's COVID-19 response.
In addition to these updates today, you can stay up-to-date with all
CDCR/CCHCS response efforts on our
COVID-19 website.
Today's updates
· As of March 26, 2020, one
incarcerated individual at California State Prison-Los Angeles County has
tested positive for COVID-19. See CDCR and CCHCS
Patient Testing Tracker for the latest testing and case information
for the incarcerated population.
· CDCR and CCHCS today reported
additional positive staff COVID-19 cases at the following locations:
Wasco State Prison, San Quentin State Prison, and one additional staff
case at California Institution for Men in Chino. See the
CDCR/CCHCS COVID-19 Employee Status webpage.
· Beginning Friday, March 27, all
staff and visitors entering CDCR state prisons and community correctional
facilities will undergo an additional touchless temperature screening
prior to being allowed to enter the facility.
· Beginning March 26, the Division
of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) will be providing free Skype virtual video
visits to youth for approved visitors, starting at the Pine Grove Youth
Conservation Camp in Amador County. DJJ is working to provide this
service to youth at other facilities. Directions for approved visitors to
download the free Skype for Business App on their smartphone or computer
will be posted on the DJJ
homepage in
English and Spanish. There is no cost to create an account. The Skype
application and a valid email address is all that is needed. Directions
will be posted around the DJJ facilities so that youth can share the
information with their support system.
· In another effort to minimize the
number of non-CDCR employees that enter our institutions on a daily
basis, CDCR has suspended large-scale construction projects located
within the secure perimeter of CDCR facilities.
· On March 26, it was announced
that all In-Service Training, including weapons qualifications training,
would be postponed until July. Effective immediately, range
qualifications shall resume as long as social distancing can be achieved.
Chemical agents and weapons training may also resume with social
distancing protocols in place.
Details:
Expanded precautions at institutions and office locations
All staff and visitors entering CDCR correctional institutions will
undergo an additional touchless, temperature screening prior to entering
the facility. This is in addition to the ongoing verbal symptom
screening. This applies to CDCR state prisons and community correctional
facilities.
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 individuals 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 Governors Office of
Emergency Services to identify any deficiencies and ensure adequate
supplies are available at each institution on an ongoing basis.
Division of Juvenile Justice
While physical visits have been suspended, beginning March 26, the
Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) will be providing free Skype virtual
video visits to youth for approved visitors, starting at the Pine Grove
Youth Conservation Camp in Amador County. DJJ is working to provide this
service to youth at other facilities soon. Directions for approved
visitors to download the free Skype for Business App on their smartphone
or computer will be posted on the DJJ
homepage in
English and Spanish. There is no cost to create an account. The Skype
application and a valid email address is all that is needed.
Directions will be posted around the DJJ facilities so that youth can
share the information with their support system.
Effective March 18, no volunteers will be allowed to enter DJJ until
further notice. All volunteer programs are postponed. Innovative Grant
programs may continue, if grantees are able. When entering, all staff,
volunteers and visitors will be given the same verbal health screenings
in place at other state institutions.
The California Education Authority is continuing high school classes for
youth in DJJ, while practicing
social
distancing.
We also encourage letter writing as a way to stay in touch and are
increasing the number of postage stamps available to youth.
Board of Juvenile Hearings proceedings will take place as scheduled via
videoconference only. Go to the Board website for more information:
https
://www.cdcr.ca.gov/juvenile-justice/juvenile-parole-board/
For the latest on steps DJJ is taking to protect youth from COVID-19,
visit the DJJ webpage
here.
Construction projects
On March 20, 2020, CDCR suspended large-scale construction projects
located within the secure perimeter of CDCR facilities. Limited
construction activities are continuing as necessary to make work areas
safe and protect construction areas from deterioration during the
suspension. While the construction industry overall has been identified
as an essential business/service under Executive Order E-33-20, the
interest of CDCR as a construction owner is unique. Construction
occurring at facilities under CDCR jurisdiction impacts the health and
safety of thousands of employees and persons incarcerated in youth and
adult institutions. The action to suspend large-scale construction
projects was consistent with earlier preventive actions, such as the
cancelation of visiting and volunteer entries statewide, and seeks to
reduce and minimize the number of non-CDCR employees that enter CDCR
institutions on a daily basis. These decisions are not made lightly, and
are taken with the safety of all who work in, live in, and visit our
facilities in mind.