The Department of Corrections (DOC) has placed all state prisons on immediate lock down.
DOC Secretary John Wetzel announced the lock down Wednesday morning after numerous reports of staff members getting sick after contact with unknown substances.
“The safety and security of our employees is my number one concern,” Secretary Wetzel said. “Our state prisons, especially those in the western part of the state, have experienced recent incidents in which employees have been sickened and we need to get to the bottom of this issue now.”
The following rules are now in place:
-All DOC mail rooms are closed to non-legal mail until further notice.
-The use of personal protective equipment, especially gloves, will be mandatory for all
employees.
-Situational awareness training will be held in all institutions immediately.
-All visits are suspended while the facilities are locked down.
Staff are advised to use extra caution when new commits and parole are received to the system.