Two corrections center inmates tested for COVID-19
Shelby County Division of Corrections has isolated two inmates who have been testd for COVID-19. (Daily Memphian file)
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Results are expected back in five days for two inmates at the Shelby County Division of Corrections who have been isolated and tested for COVID-19, or the coronavirus, said Anthony Alexander, the director of the facility.
“We just have two inmates that have signs of a viral infection. We have taken precautionary measures to isolate them,” Alexander said. “We have identified an area with 56 beds where we can isolate when we have situations like that to keep them from the general population so we won’t spread the virus if we do have it.”
Alexander said they have also isolated inmates who have work details outside the prison. He said those inmates undergo medical screening daily.
He said he was notified about the two inmates with the viral infection last Friday and that the facility has implemented several measures for the safety of staff, visitors and inmates.
The Corrections Center suspended in-person visits at the facility last week but video visitations are ongoing. Alexander said the center is working with Global Tel Link, the phone provider for the prison, to make the video chats free so family and friends can talk with inmates without leaving home.
Prisons and jails across the country are implementing plans to deal with the threat of a COVID-19 outbreak because inmates are vulnerable living in closed spaces and with people streaming in and out of the facilities on a daily basis.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that it was suspending in-person visitation at only the juvenile detention center. Video visitation is allowed at the county jail at 201 Poplar and Jail East, the women’s jail.
Shelby County Public Defender Phyllis Aluko called Monday for all inmates in custody solely because they cannot afford bond to be released.
Topics
Shelby County Division of Corrections Anthony Alexander COVID-19 inmatesYolanda Jones
Yolanda Jones covers criminal justice issues and general assignment news for The Daily Memphian. She previously was a reporter at The Commercial Appeal.
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