UPDATED: COVID-19 Concern Results in IDOC Visitation Restrictions - extended

UPDATED: EFFECTIVE March 12, 2020

Indianapolis, Ind - While there are presently no known cases of COVID-19 among staff or offenders housed at Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) facilities, the previously announced suspension of visitations at specific prison locations has been extended to all facilities. This will be effective March 12, 2020, and is anticipated to last at least two weeks.

The decision to suspend visitation is precautionary in nature and was made in the interest of the health and safety of IDOC staff and offenders. Any decision to end or extend the suspension of visitations will be made in the best interest of our staff and the offenders housed at IDOC facilities.

IDOC Commissioner Rob Carter commented, “The decision to extend the suspension of visitations to all our correctional facilities was made with the primary concern over the health and safety of each offender and all of our staff." Carter continued, "While we recognize the importance of in-person visits by friends and family, we cannot afford the risk this poses to potentially introduce the COVID-19 virus into our facilities." Carter concluded, "We are working with our partners at the Indiana State Department of Health to monitor this ongoing threat, and when appropriate to do so, visitation restrictions will be lifted.”

While in-person visitations have been suspended, approved friends and family members can still visit remotely by video. Video visits must be scheduled in advance and are limited to 20 minutes.

Prior to visiting an IDOC facility, friends and family members should visit the Indiana Department of Correction website and search the ‘Find A Facility’ to locate specific prison facilities. Once on the Facility website, click the 'Visitation' tab for current visitation information and see if visitor restrictions are in place.

To learn more about COVID-19 click this link to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) website where you can subscribe to ISDH email updates, or click this link for the Center for Disease Control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) information.

To learn more about actions related to COVID-19 taken by the Indiana Department of Correction and Wexford, the contracted medical services provider to the IDOC, visit this link on the IDOC website.

===================================POSTED MARCH 10, 2020

Indianapolis, Ind - While there are presently no known cases of COVID-19 among staff or offenders housed at Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) facilities, visitation to certain prison facilities has been suspended indefinitely.

The decision to suspend visitation is precautionary in nature and was made in the interest of the health and safety of IDOC staff and offenders at the following facilities:

Heritage Trail Correctional Facility – Hendricks County

Indiana State Prison – LaPorte County

Indiana Women’s Prison – Marion County

LaPorte Juvenile Correctional Facility – LaPorte County

Plainfield Correctional Facility - Hendricks County

Reception Diagnostic Center - Hendricks County

Westville Correctional Facility - LaPorte County

The above facilities were identified for temporary suspension of visitations Due to being near an urban area or location where a member of the public was identified as being infected by COVID-19.

IDOC Commissioner Rob Carter commented, “I know how important visitations are to offenders and to their family and friends, but the overriding concern is to limit the opportunity of COVID-19 being introduced into our facilities.” Carter continued, “I’ve directed my staff to assess the need for continued visitation restrictions on a daily basis, and when responsible to do so, restrictions will be lifted, or if necessary, expanded to other facilities to protect staff and offenders.”

Prior to visiting an IDOC facility, friends and family members should visit the Indiana Department of Correction website and search the ‘Find A Facility’ to locate specific prison facilities and see if visitor restrictions are in place.

To learn more click this link to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) website where you can subscribe to ISDH email updates, or click this link for the Center for Disease Control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) information.