The Peru Gazette

“The recent increase in COVID-19 cases in northern correctional facilities is alarming given that there remains no guidance from the state,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) “In our nursing homes and long term care facilities, the Department of Health (DOH) issued guidance indicating that one positive case by a staff member or resident, dictates the cessation of visitation; however no guidance has been issued for prison populations. As I have stated before, we must have guidelines and protocols in place if individuals, staff or inmates, in these facilities contract the virus.”

“In our nursing homes and long term care facilities, staff and residents are tested regularly, but no proactive guidelines have been instituted in prisons, which has one of the most dense populations and employs hundreds of people in our communities. As our governor has said, this virus knows no boundaries, so why don’t we have the guidelines and protocols in prisons that are reflective of the strict guidelines in place in other facilities. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, along with DOH, should evaluate the movement of inmates and visitors from the Governor’s designated hotspots and determine safety protocols in the facilities. These guidelines must be issued immediately to prevent further spread of the virus.”