In-person visitation at state prisons will resume says Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel.
When considering factors such as inmate vaccination rates and COVID-19 cases among inmates, the state decided that the first facilities to resume in-person visits will be SCI Laurel Highlands, SCI Waymart, SCI Muncy, SCI Cambridge Springs, and the Quehanna Boot Camp.
“Our mission is to reinstate in-person visits while not significantly increasing the number of infections within our facilities,” said Secretary Wetzel. “Reintegrating visitation in a methodical, staggered manner – along with enhanced safety measures -- allows the DOC to monitor wastewater testing results and use objective data to ensure facilities have continued success managing COVID-19.”
Visitation at the above-mentioned facilities will resume one at a time beginning May 22 and will continue through June 3 until all five have resumed.
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“COVID-19 remains a significant threat, particularly in congregate settings like prisons,” said Secretary Wetzel. “By design, our mitigation efforts are stronger than what may be in place in the general public because it is critically important to keep COVID out of our facilities to the greatest extent possible.”
In-person visitation was suspended in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.