PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Re-Entry has changed several policies during the coronavirus outbreak.
Starting Wednesday, the following changes are in effect:
- The $4 copay for inmates showing flu or cold-like symptoms will be waived
- Free hand soap will be provided to all inmates at request
- Inmate classes provided by community colleges have been suspended
- All employees will undergo screenings for infectious disease upon entry and exit
- Two free 15-minute calls to family members will be allowed each week
- Routine inmate transfers between prisons have been suspended
Several prisoner advocacy groups, including the Prison Law Office and ACLU, filed an emergency motion in federal court Monday asking Arizona prisons to have a plan in place as the coronavirus outbreak continues.
There are no known cases of COVID-19 in the Arizona prison system, but the department says it has existing plans for any infectious disease.
“The health and safety of our staff and inmates at the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry is our paramount concern,” David Shinn, director of ADCRR, said in a release.
“In managing this situation, our two top priorities are safety and public health as we work to mitigate the potential spread of COVID‐19 within our prisons.”
