Current Status

  • On December 18, 2020, an individual incarcerated at Airway Heights Corrections Center passed away at a local healthcare facility due to COVID-19 related illness.
  • On December 17, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-80, DOC – Prison Commitments, prohibiting the transportation of individuals to state correctional facilities in an effort to assist the Washington State Department of Corrections in mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus in its facilities.

Numbers at a Glance

  • 2,148 Total Active Incarcerated Cases
  • 1,233 Total Recovered Incarcerated Cases
  •  24th out of 50 states for number of positive cases (Data from covidprisonproject.com)
  • 34th out of 50 states for cases as a percentage of the population (Data from covidprisonproject.com)

Definitions of Interest

  • Medical Isolation is not a punitive measure nor is it the same as what members of the public refer to as “solitary confinement.” It is a measure taken to protect the health and safety of all incarcerated individuals and to mitigate and stop the spread of COVID-19. Incarcerated individuals are allowed to bring their personal belongings with them to medical isolation. Incarcerated individuals in medical isolation areas are provided opportunities to call their friends and family. Individuals on medical isolation are seen by mental health providers per the WA State DOC COVID-19 Mental Health/Psychiatry Response Guideline. These steps, and others, are taken to ensure that those on medical isolation are both physically and mentally cared for by health services staff, and also continue to have connections with their friends and family.
  • Shower protocols for individuals on medical isolation status have been continuously reviewed and updated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Operational plans are developed in medical isolation areas to allow time out of cell for a minimum of 30 minutes each day per person. Currently in the protocols after seven days of medical isolation, showers should occur per normal unit operating procedures. The first seven (7) days of medical isolation are to remain as highly restricted movement to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. Running water, basins and hygiene products are provided to individuals in medical isolation for hygiene purposes whenever they desire.

Prison Facilities

Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC)

  • To date, 1,261 incarcerated individuals have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • The C6 Gym is being converted to an alternate housing area, completed work includes the installation of showers, toilets, sinks, and telephones.

Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (CRCC)

  • To date, 351 incarcerated individuals have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • CRCC Minimum Security Unit Gym has been converted to an alternative housing area to safely house COVID-19 positive asymptomatic incarcerated individuals separate from healthy individuals.
  • CRCC screening staff perform active screening of all persons entering the facility. (see photo gallery)

Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC)

  • To date, 69 incarcerated individuals have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Following protocols outlined in WA State DOC COVID-19 Screening, Testing, and Infection Control Guideline, those incarcerated individuals in Minimum Security Unit C-Unit were removed from quarantine status yesterday after they received two negative COVID-19 test results and had completed their quarantine for a period of at least 14-days.

Stafford Creek Corrections Center (SCCC)

  • To date, 448 incarcerated individuals have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • SCCC is providing board games, word searches, and other recreational activities to incarcerated individuals.
  • The gym has been converted to an alternate housing area. Washington Corrections Center (WCC)
  • To date, 582 incarcerated individuals have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Progress continues on converting the M Building Gym into an alternate housing area. (see photo gallery)

Washington State Penitentiary (WSP)

  • To date, 584 incarcerated individuals have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • The South Complex Gym, East Complex Gym and Unit 1 (see photo gallery) have been converted alternate housing areas to safely house COVID-19 positive incarcerated individuals separately from healthy individuals.

Work Release Facilities
Status

  • All work release facilities are fully operational and there are no current outbreaks of COVID-19.

Ongoing Actions

  • Work release facilities across the state are scheduling socially distanced tabletop exercises to ensure continued preparedness to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Significant Event Timeline
The COVID-19 Significant Event Timeline is published publicly for interested parties and stakeholders to promote and cultivate an environment of integrity and trust, and to foster openness, values which are part of Corrections’ mission to improve public safety. The following events occurred today:

  • 12/18/2020 – Temporary suspension of transfers to DOC.
  • 12/18/2020 – AHCC First COVID-related incarcerated death.

For additional information visit doc.wa.gov/corrections/covid-19/