4 Folsom CDCR staffers test positive for COVID-19

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has most recently reported 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff and seven cases among its statewide inmate population so far.Locally, three staff members at California State Prison Folsom have tested positive while one staff member of Folsom State Prison has tested positive for the virus. At this time, no inmates in any of the Folsom facilities have tested positive while seven have tested positive statewide out of the 248 tested so far.According to an announcement on Tuesday afternoon, CDCR acted quickly to protect staff and inmates at the state's institutions by implementing additional measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The measures will increase both capacity and physical space at the state's prisons, which will allow the department to increase physical distancing, and assist it with isolation and quarantine efforts for suspected or positive COVID-19 cases.CDCR's plan includes expediting the transition to parole for eligible inmates who have 60 days or less to serve on their sentences and are not currently serving time for a violent crime as defined by law, a sex offense or domestic violence. The plan also includes making more use of the state's private and public Community Correctional Facilities, as well maximizing open spaces in the prisons, such as gymnasiums, to increase capacity and inmate movement options. "We do not take these new measures lightly. Our first commitment at CDCR is ensuring safety of our staff, of the incarcerated population, of others inside our institutions, and of the community at large," said CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz. "However, in the face of a global pandemic, we must consider the risk of COVID-19 infection as a grave threat to safety, too."The new measures build on many others already taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to all who work and live in the state prison system. The measures in place include:Mandatory verbal and temperature screenings for staff before they enter any institutions and other CDCR work sitesSuspension of intake from county jails, projected to reduce the population by 3,000 within 30 daysSuspension of visitation; inmates will get additional free phone calls to their loved ones, made available through a partnership with inmate telephone network provider Global Tel Link (GTL) Suspension of access by volunteers and rehabilitative program providersSuspension of inmate movement, other than for critical purposesMeasures to support increased physical distancing, including reducing the number of inmates who use common spaces at the same timeReinforced commitment to hygiene both institutional and personal, including greater availability of soap and hand sanitizerDeveloped detailed guidelines on CDC and CDPH recommendations for correctional settings, which includes procedures for infection control, assessment, testing, treatment, proper use of PPE and quarantine/isolation. Deployed educational materials for staff on the new guidelines, including posters, quick reference pocket guides, webinars and websites.Modified the delivery of non-emergent health care procedures such as routine dental cleanings to redirect supplies of PPE. Created a network among all state-managed facilities to redirect PPE as needed. Created handouts, posters and continually updated video messaging for the population about COVID-19 and what CDCR and CCHCS is doing to respond to the virus. CDCR estimates that up to 3,500 incarcerated persons would be eligible for an expedited transition to parole. The department is preparing on-site multidisciplinary teams at each institution to expedite the pre-release coordination. Review of potential expedited transition will first focus on those with less than 30 days to serve, then those with less than 60 days to serve. Returning individuals will release to state parole or local probation supervision, or will discharge, depending on their individual sentence.CDCR will also immediately expand space in community-based parolee programs, particularly for those at risk of homelessness or housing instability. Additionally, the department has been in communication with its county partners regarding these measures and will coordinate with them to promote a successful reentry. Finally, all victim notification requirements are being met.