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Coronavirus Latest: 136 COVID-19 Cases Within Maryland Correctional System, Including 31 Inmates

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- There are now 136 cases of the coronavirus within the Maryland correctional system, and one person has died.

The first death within the system was an inmate, in his 60s with underlying medical conditions who had been hospitalized for weeks.

There are 31 inmates, 72 correctional officers, three Division of Parole and Probation employees, 27 contractual staff, one clinical health employee and two administrative employees with the virus.

Members of Maryland's federal Congressional delegation wrote a letter to Gove. Larry Hogan Thursday urging him to take "aggressive actions" to stop the fast spread of COVID-19 through the state's prison system.

"We are concerned that an outbreak of COVID-19 within Maryland's correctional system would endanger the health of all—surrounding communities, correctional staff, first responders and inmates," the lawmakers wrote. "We urge you to strongly consider the recommendations of Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh that you exercise your commutation power by working with the Maryland Parole Commission to identify and accelerate the release of inmates who pose little risk to public safety but whose continued incarceration would increase the risk of an outbreak amongst the state's prison population. This action will not only protect correctional officers, first responders, and inmates, but also our state at large."

COVID-19 Cases In Correctional Facilities
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services table of positive COVID-19 cases by facility

The AFSCME Union represents many state workers and said on a conference call that there are "glaring holes in the actions at every single faculty."

Jessup Correctional officer Oluwadamilola Olaniyan recounted how he assisted a fellow officer who became ill and collapsed—then tested positive for COVID-19.

"Nobody called the people that were in close proximity. I was concerned that I was exposed, and I'm taking it to my family," Olaniyan said from quarantine. "We are not being protected the way we should be protected."

WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren spoke to another officer in Jessup who asked to remain anonymous. That officer agreed with AFSCME's assessment that the prisons are "ticking time bombs" but said they were able to get some equipment including face shields, which they have to reuse.

"A ticking time bomb I'd say that's definitely pretty accurate. It's just like you're waiting for something to happen," the officer said. "The tensions are very high right now in the prisons. Everybody's on edge."

 

The AFSCME union has called for emergency pay increases to be reinstated, more protective equipment and consistent policies and health checks in each facility.

Here's a breakdown of cases within the system: 

  • Jessup Correctional Institution: 40 cases
    • 13 inmates
    • 16 officers
    • 11 contract employees
  • Dorsey Run Correctional Facility: 14 cases
    • 3 inmates
    • 11 officers
    • 0 contract employees
  • Maryland Correctional Institution for Women: 15 cases
    • 6 inmates
    • 7 officers
    • 2 contract employees
  • Patuxent Institution: 14 cases
    • 7 inmates
    • 2 officers
    • 5 contract employees
  • Maryland Correctional Training Center: 2 cases
    • 0 inmates
    • 2 officers
    • 0 contract employees
  • Maryland Correctional Institution- Jessup: 7 cases
    • 0 inmates
    • 6 officers
    • 1 contract employee
  • Maryland Reception, Diagnostics and Classification Center: 17 cases
    • 1 inmate
    • 16 officers
    • 0 contract employees
  • Metropolitan Transition Center: 6 cases
    • 0 inmates
    • 5 officers
    • 1 contract employee
  • Baltimore Central Booking & Intake Center: 3 cases
    • 0 inmates
    • 3 officers
    • 0 contract employees
  • Western Correctional Institution/North Branch Correctional Institution: 1 case
    • 0 inmates
    • 0 officers
    • 1 contract employee

Cases in Maryland overall have jumped to nearly 11,000 and nearly 400 people have died in the state from the virus.

As concern for inmates and correctional officers grows, the chief judge of Maryland is ordering lower courts to identify juvenile offenders who could be released amid the pandemic, as well as identify offenders in general who are at risk for contracting the coronavirus for possible release.

In an order Tuesday, Judge Mary Ellen Barbera said lower courts should identify the high-risk offenders in order to protect the inmate population as a whole.

Before releasing an offender, the courts should consider whether that person is a threat to the community, whether the facility they're being held at can address coronavirus-related medical issues and whether the person shows any symptoms of the virus, the order reads.

READ MORE: Coronavirus Latest: Judge Orders Courts To Identify Juvenile Offenders Who Could Be Released Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

In addition, the order also directs lower courts to set hearings for matters like child support contempt, minor probation violations and failure to appear in court within the next business day.

Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby advocated for offenders to be released, while Gov. Larry Hogan has said it's not a priority of his.

For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.

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