Inmates in Arizona prisons have received fabric face coverings to enhance COVID-19 prevention.
Officials with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry say this includes the department’s third-party-operated prison complexes and inmates arriving at their intake facility in Phoenix.
All inmates are encouraged to wear the face coverings at all times while participating in activities in which social distancing is not possible. Exceptions to this rule include general activities such as sleeping, eating or when staff may need to positively identify an inmate.
The face coverings have been made by inmates at the Douglas and Florence complexes through the Arizona Correctional Industries garment program, which allows inmates to be paid for their work.
State prison officials continue to separate any inmates who exhibit flu-like symptoms from the general population. ADCRR is also working with the Arizona Department of Health Services to test all inmates at each complex.
Currently, all ADCRR officers and staff are required to wear face coverings. All employees entering Arizona prison complexes continue to undergo required temperature and symptom checks at each facility.