CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic among its staff and inmates, as active cases remain high.
As of late Wednesday afternoon’s report by the state Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), active coronavirus cases of inmates/residents in facilities totaled 757, up nearly 100 from Tuesday. There are 499 cases in correctional centers, 226 in regional jails, 22 in juvenile centers and 10 in community corrections. The total number of inmates in facilities total 10,016 as of Tuesday.
There are also 232 active cases among staff out of the 2,946 total employees.
Betsy Jividen, the state Department of Corrections Commissioner appeared on Wednesday’s MetroNews ‘Talkline’ and said the pandemic is impacting the jail system the same way it’s impacting many sectors.
“We’re impacted the same way with the spread of the illness, we’re impacted the same way with the labor shortages that the rest of the country and state is facing with the impact of the virus,” Jividen said.
VIEW: Correctional Facilities data by DHHR
She added the department has continued to shift personnel around to fill in gaps when staff misses work with COVID-19. She said DCR has also received help from the state DNR and West Virginia National Guard with staffing shortages.
Jividen also acknowledged the fact that DCR employees have left altogether due to the virus.
“It’s a tough job. We’re on 24-7. It’s an environment that a lot of people can’t even imagine. It’s a truly honorable form of public service,” she said.
What is the current situation within different correctional facilities regarding COVID-19? Betsy Jividen, WV Department of Corrections Commissioner, talks about the status of these facilities with @DaveWilsonMN. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nDJuy pic.twitter.com/3MpxbfNAVW
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) January 26, 2022
Over the past weekend, a third DCR employee died from complications related to COVID-19. Paula Jo Tomlin, 51, who served at the Lakin Correctional Center since March 2020, died on Saturday.
Jividen said the DCR continues its enhanced cleaning and distancing when possible. DCR encourages masks and vaccinations among staff and inmates.
The latest DHHR report on vaccinations out in December indicates 1,821 inmates/residents across all facilities have received at least one dose of a Moderna vaccination and 4,340 have received a Johnson & Johnson shot. 1,798 staff members have been vaccinated.
“We take what is sent to us and we need to deal with it. There are a lot of moving parts to the equation. Everyone is doing their best to address the situation and try to remedy it,” Jividen said.