Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation is Prepared for COVID-19 Cases

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 31, 2020

The Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DOCR) has established plans to respond to COVID-19 at all of its facilities. DOCR has not had a positive case of COVID-19 to date, but preparation is critically important. These plans include education of and continuous communication with staff and the inmate population on COVID-19, including ways to stop the spread of disease, establishment of additional cleaning schedules, and modifications to processes to increase the possibility for social distancing within DOCR facilities.

In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the department has implemented the following procedures:

• The DOCR population has received communication from staff on COVID-19, symptoms, the importance of hand washing, and best practices to stop the spread of the virus
• Outside programs and visits have been suspended. Inmates receive two free, 15-minute phone calls per week
• Commingling of inmates has been reduced
• Dedicated quarantine housing has been established
• Service delivery is provided in areas that allow for social distancing

In addition, all DOCR facilities have established cleaning schedules with increased frequency for all high traffic areas. DOCR has also instituted a temperature check protocol for anyone who enters one of its facilities. Employees are reminded to wash hands frequently and hand sanitizer stations are available throughout all facilities for employee use. Officers and medical personnel are provided with personal protective equipment for duties requiring contact with inmates who may have been exposed to or have symptoms of COVID-19. To date, DOCR has no confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.

“The health and well-being of our employees and those in our custody are our highest priority,” said DOCR Director Angela Talley. “The Department of Correction and Rehabilitation is working continuously to respond to COVID-19 and implement practices that protect our staff and inmate population within our facilities.”

DOCR has also established protocols to house and care for any individual in custody who needs to be quarantined after consultation with public health officials. The designated housing areas are not considered solitary confinement; however, will require single-occupancy housing of inmates who will be assessed for symptoms daily by medical personnel. Inmates housed in these areas will be restricted to their cell due to their quarantine status, except for time permitted outside of their cell for phone calls, showers, and recreation time similar to other inmates in custody. 

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook and Twitter.

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Release ID: 20-154
Media Contact: Julie Parker 240-777-6507