A Case Study of the Westchester County New York’s Jail Response to COVID-19: Controlling COVID while Balancing Service Needs for the Incarcerated-A National Model for Jails

Abstract

Controlling COVID rates, which initially soared within New York State, proved to be more challenging for correctional institutions, which were tasked with trying to protect a captive population. This article profiles the Westchester County Department of Correction (WCDOC), a county jail located 20 miles north of Manhattan; it is the second-largest jail in New York State. By employing a multitude of modalities, the WCDOC was able to lower their COVID-19 rates significantly, while simultaneously providing medical, mental health, drug treatment, and courtrelated services. By leveraging the use of technology and employing innovative policies for prisoners and staff, the WCDOC can serve as a model for other correctional institutions.

Inclusive Health: Modeling Covid-19 in Correctional Facilities and Communities

“…Social distancing practices such as changes to housing or severe lockdowns within cells may mitigate spread within facilities, but will likely harm the mental wellbeing of incarcerated people (18,19) . In contrast, issuing telephone cards for incarcerated people to stay in contact with family could improve mental wellbeing (20) . Other policies that improve sanitation, including access to disinfectants and personal protective equipment (20) , or improve access to quality healthcare for incarcerated people, such as greater use of telemedicine (21) , mitigate virus spread in correctional settings.…”

“…In contrast, issuing telephone cards for incarcerated people to stay in contact with family could improve mental wellbeing (20) . Other policies that improve sanitation, including access to disinfectants and personal protective equipment (20) , or improve access to quality healthcare for incarcerated people, such as greater use of telemedicine (21) , mitigate virus spread in correctional settings.…”

Inclusive health: modeling COVID-19 in correctional facilities and communities

“…Social distancing practices such as changes to housing or severe lockdowns within cells may mitigate spread within facilities, but will likely harm the mental well-being of incarcerated people [ 38 , 39 ]. In contrast, issuing telephone cards for incarcerated people to stay in contact with family could improve mental well-being [ 40 ]. Other policies that improve sanitation, including access to disinfectants and personal protective equipment [ 40 ], or improve access to quality healthcare for incarcerated people, such as greater use of telemedicine [ 41 ], mitigate virus spread in correctional settings.…”

‘Lockdown's changed everything’: Mothering adult children in prison in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Although implemented at differing rates and intensity globally (Pakes, 2020), a range of restrictions and procedures were introduced within prisons, including physical distancing, increased cell time, suspension of face-to-face visits, mask wearing and increased cleaning (Blogg et al, 2021; Collica-Cox and Molina, 2020; de Oliveira Andrade, 2020; Lemasters et al, 2020; Pagano et al, 2020; Vest et al, 2021). Consequently, some prison systems were able to minimise the spread of the virus (New York, Collica-Cox and Molina, 2020; New South Wales – Australia, Blogg et al, 2021).…”

“…Although implemented at differing rates and intensity globally (Pakes, 2020), a range of restrictions and procedures were introduced within prisons, including physical distancing, increased cell time, suspension of face-to-face visits, mask wearing and increased cleaning (Blogg et al, 2021; Collica-Cox and Molina, 2020; de Oliveira Andrade, 2020; Lemasters et al, 2020; Pagano et al, 2020; Vest et al, 2021). Consequently, some prison systems were able to minimise the spread of the virus (New York, Collica-Cox and Molina, 2020; New South Wales – Australia, Blogg et al, 2021). Yet, many systems lack infrastructure to implement such measures; for example, de Oliveira Andrade (2020) note that Brazilian prisons have inadequate quarantining systems and rely on families of prison residents to bring in supplies, impeding their ability to limit infection spread.…”