By Mac Cordell and Kayleen Petrovia
Visitors, work release restricted after outbreak
As the number of coronavirus cases in Ohio continue to grow, correctional facilities are taking extra precautions.
West Central Community-Based Correctional Facility Deputy Director Craig Shumaker said the facility is adapting to ensure all inmates, visitors and staff are safe.
“As this thing continue to change… we are in a state of being fluid,” he said.
On Tuesday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced, “We have ended prison visitation for the time being.” Entrance to all state prisons will also be restricted, he added.
Shumaker said West Central has suspended all contact, or face-to-face, visits with residents. Additionally, he said the facility has suspended all volunteer programs.
Likewise, Ohio Reformatory for Women Public Information Officer Clara Golding-Kent said ORW has done the same, under the direction of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC).
“This is state-wide… a lot of those things are suspended at this time,” Golding-Kent said. She added that ODRC is working with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to keep correctional facilities safe.
Shumaker said West Central staff “realizes there’s an impact” on the wellbeing of residents caused by eliminating visitation.
To “ease that burden,” he said staff is exploring ways to increase time for video visitation and phone calls. Golding-Kent said ORW also plans to increase time for “virtual visits.”
West Central’s programming also incorporates community service as part of the rehabilitation process for residents. However, Shumaker said all community service and off-site medical appointments have been postponed.
“Right now, this is a precautionary measure,” he explained.
On the other hand, organizations that generally use West Central volunteers are adapting without much trouble.
City Administrator Terry Emery said the City of Marysville uses two West Central volunteers daily to assist in sanitation. However, he said they “pulled back a week ago” due to the virus.
Even so, Emery said there has been a “minimal impact” in losing the regular volunteers.
In the meantime, Shumaker and Golding-Kent said staff at the two facilities are taking additional, preventative measures.
West Central has increased the amount of times the building is cleaned regularly, he said, and all cleaning materials being used are approved by the CDC to kill the coronavirus.
Shumaker said West Central staff have also ordered and purchased additional cleaning supplies to avoid running low.
Both facilities are also focusing on educating residents and staff about healthy habits, like social distancing.
“We’re just trying to respect each other’s space when we can,” Golding-Kent said.
Otherwise, she said “internally, nothing has changed” at ORW regarding operations.
The nursery at ORW, in which specific, eligible inmates are able to raise their children at the facility, is still operating normally. Golding-Kent said “only necessary people enter” and the same precautionary steps are being taken at the nursery facility.
Scott Springhetti, executive director of the Tri-County Regional Jail said the facility has implemented “no changes at this time.”
Shumaker said West Central hasn’t restricted its acceptance of new residents. He said all residents undergo a health screening during the facility’s regular intake process.
But, Shumaker said staff is considering what action would be taken if a new resident had a fever or other symptoms of the coronavirus. In that case, he said the individual would be kept away from the facility’s general population.
Golding-Kent emphasized there are no known cases of the coronavirus within ORW.
She said correctional facilities in the state will continue to take direction from partner agencies to keep staff and inmates safe as the situation develops.
Pictured above is a screenshot of the West Central Community Correctional Facility website, noting the changes in visitation being instituted because of the COVID-19 outbreak. (Photo submitted)