Tuesday, January 12, 2021

COVID-19 SPREADING RAPIDLY IN STATE PRISON

by Bob Walsh


The California Men's Colony at San Luis Obispo is an interesting place.  The song Unchained Melody was allegedly written about it.  The first batch of prisoners that went there went on a commercial Greyhound.with one staff member accompanying them.  There was zero perimeter security for years.  It is now the "old folks home" for the prison system.  Most of the prisoners are older but not so infirm that they require special medical supervision.

About one in three of the guests of the state there have Covid-19. This is by far the highest ratio in any of the state's 34 facilities.  There are currently about 3.800 prisoners and 1,800 staff.    

Of these prisoners 16 were released from custody while still sick.  A total of 815 have had the virus and gotten over it.  .  

A total of 391 employees have tested positive.  There are currently 188 active cases.  A total of 203 have returned to work since testing positive.  All staff are tested weekly.  A positive tests means the staff member can not come in to work.  Testing of the inmates is an ongoing project.  Programs have been adjusted to minimize crowding to the extent possible.  

The prison has no warden currently.  Josie Gastelo, who had been warden for slightly over five years, retired suddenly on 12-31-2020.  The prison is being vague about current leadership structure..  They also assert no knowledge of how / why the bug is spreading so quickly at their particular institution.

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