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Maricopa County agencies teaming up to prevent COVID-19 spread in jails

Posted 4/13/20

Normally with an average daily inmate population of around 7,500 individuals, Maricopa County Correctional Health Services is responsible for providing medical, dental, and mental health services for …

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Maricopa County agencies teaming up to prevent COVID-19 spread in jails

Posted

Normally with an average daily inmate population of around 7,500 individuals, Maricopa County Correctional Health Services is responsible for providing medical, dental, and mental health services for all individuals incarcerated within the jail system.

Currently, the average daily inmate population at Maricopa County jails is 5,500, according to a release.

To prevent or mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19 in any of the county jails, CHS has been working closely with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to implement a comprehensive infection control strategy to ensure that inmates who become ill are managed appropriately, including daily visits and ensuring separation from those who are well.

As of Friday, April 10, CHS says 28 patients have been tested, 21 tests have been returned as negative for COVID-19, and seven patients are currently in medical observation while results are pending.

“We are appreciative of steps taken by the courts and sheriff’s office to reduce the number of individuals coming and going from jail facilities each day,” CHS Medical Director Dr. Grant Phillips stated Monday, April 13. “This has greatly reduced the risk to those living and working in those facilities. However, we understand that a complete quarantine is not realistic and therefore we have implemented several proactive measures to ensure the safety of those who work and live within these facilities.”

Proactive measures taken by CHS include: There is daily monitoring of staff for fever and symptoms. Staff are sent home if any symptoms develop.

Any inmate entering a facility undergoes additional screening at the time of intake to determine the presence of fever, respiratory infection, recent travel, or contact with persons who are known to be infected with COVID-19.

Symptomatic inmates are being evaluated by a healthcare provider, placed in medical observation, and tested if their symptoms are consistent with COVID-19.

In the event an inmate has a positive screening test for COVID-19, they will be rapidly triaged and transported to a medical facility if necessary.

Inmates who are exposed to someone with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 are being placed in quarantine and monitored for symptoms.

“We understand that for those with family members and loved ones in our facilities, this is a difficult and scary time,” Dr. Phillips stated. “However, we are committed to providing high-quality, professional medical services to your loved ones and we will use every resource at our disposal to protect those in our care.”

 The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has taken significant steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while prioritizing public safety, according to a release.

MCSO says they will continue to develop proactive strategies to mitigate exposure for staff and the community. Here are some of the measures that have been implemented:

Jail Operations

  • All newly booked inmates are screened for symptoms at intake by Correctional Health Services, those that display COVID-19 symptoms are housed in for medical observation pending resolution of symptoms and/or test results.
  • Limiting non-employee access into jail facilities to legal or essential operational personnel only.
  • On March 15, MCSO suspended inmate programs that involve non-employee facilitators or volunteers.
  • Legal visits are still taking place through glass partitioned rooms if requested by counsel. Attorneys and/or inmates can request a video visitation instead using inmate tablet technology.
  • Internal housekeeping staff are dedicating more time sanitizing high touch surfaces.
  • Inmate tablets are fully deployed in all facilities for inmates to contact family, clergy, and legal counsel.
  • Printed CDC advisories regarding the virus, symptoms and personal hygiene are posted in each housing area. The same advisories are also electronically available to the inmates on their tablets.
  • Inmates are issued bars of soap and have access to cleaning supplies like Triad cleaner to use in their housing units, cells, etc. which kills the virus.
  • Continue working with CHS in planning for housing inmates with symptoms based off of the most current information available. There have been no positive tests within the jail so far.
  • All inmates are issued surgical masks, all Detention Officers have received N95 quality masks.
  • Worked with courts, prosecutors and defense attorneys to identify work release and work furlough inmates, facilitating motions for release. All inmates participating in these programs are no longer in custody.
  • Jail population has been reduced significantly from around 7,100 in January to 5,634 inmates currently.
  • Average daily bookings have been reduced — from around 225-300 bookings per day to 100-150 bookings per day.
  • As of April 13, 189 inmates were transferred to the custody of Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry. This action culminates what has been 3 weeks of intense work and collaboration by Sheriff Paul Penzone and the Governor’s Office.
  • A detailed inmate housing plan has been implemented that reduces unnecessary movement and exposure by defendants who are new to the system and have been in custody for less than 14 days.

Patrol Operations

  • MCSO dispatchers ask COVID-19 specific questions to provide more information to responding deputies to determine if additional PPE will be needed. Dispatchers are checking to see if it is a report only and if it can be handled by phone, limiting in-person contact.
  • Sergeants are screening calls to ensure MCSO provides the appropriate response to situations or as requested by the public and will physically respond to emergency traffic as directed by MCSO’s policy.
  • Commanders have identified staff members who will be responsible for ensuring high touch areas are cleaned at the start and end of each day and to maintain the necessary supplies needed.
  • Deputies are instructed to clean and wipe down patrol vehicles at the beginning and end of each shift and as need throughout the shift if a transport has been made.
  • Commanders are providing a daily staff review of all personnel to include leave of any kind and any staffing needs. Overtime is authorized for minimum staffing needs and any necessary backfill.
  • The use of reusable gloves is discontinued, and all deputies are to carry their PPE kits for use as needed.
  • Implementing a staggered start time schedule to minimize the staff numbers at briefings and utilizing field briefings as needed.
  • Established alternative work schedules for civilian admin staff to limit the number of office personnel in the district at a time.
  • Deputy staff assigned to administrative duties will be available to backfill patrol and to increase visibility in areas of concern or as needed.
  • District detectives have an alternative schedule to limit the number of office personnel in the district at a time.
  • District Lobbies are closed, ride-along program is suspended. Contact information is posted with all available forms of communication.

MCSO has been and will continue to assess resources and identify areas where they can reduce staffing and or shut down areas of operation to reallocate resources as needed, the release states.