LANSING (WWJ) - Those with loved ones locked up in Michigan prisons won't be able to see them for awhile.
The Michigan Department of Corrections announced Friday that it will cease in-person visiting of prisoners — effective immediately — in the interest of the safety of staff, prisoners and the public.
This will also include outside volunteers and other tours and groups who routinely come into the prisons, the MDOC said.
This comes after health officials said there 12 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus in the state, across seven counties.
While there is no known connection between these cases and the state prison system, MDOC Director Heidi Washington said this is an important precaution.
"This was not a decision we arrived at lightly, as we understand and recognize the importance of family contact with the prison population," Washington said, in a statement. "Our primary concern has to be public safety and reducing the number of people who enter our facilities is a key factor in limiting the potential spread of this illness into our prisoner population."
The department will monitor the situation to determine when visits will be restored.
During the period without visits, the department is working with its vendors that provide communication services to the prison population on enhanced services that may be able to be offered.
For staff working in the facilities, all will be asked a series of screening questions and will have their temperature checked before being allowed entrance into the prison. For those with a temperature above 100.4, they will not be allowed to work.
Information on prevention has been provided to the prison population and MDOC staff.
For the past week, facilities have undergone additional and more frequent cleaning of the prisons.T
Staff and visitors can also access information and updates about their facility by signing up for Nixle alerts. To sign up for Nixle alerts, go to www.michigan.gov/corrections and select the page for the correctional facility in your area to register via the Nixle Widget, or text the zip code of the facility you would like to receive updates from to 888777.
Get the latest information about this outbreak from the state at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. Find national information at CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
