While there are presently no known cases of COVID-19 among staff or offenders housed at Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) facilities, visitation to certain prison facilities has been suspended indefinitely.
The decision to suspend visitation is precautionary in nature and was made in the interest of the health and safety of IDOC staff and offenders at the following facilities:
- Heritage Trail Correctional Facility – Hendricks County
- Indiana State Prison – LaPorte County
- Indiana Women’s Prison – Marion County
- LaPorte Juvenile Correctional Facility – LaPorte County
- Plainfield Correctional Facility - Hendricks County
- Reception Diagnostic Center - Hendricks County
- Westville Correctional Facility - LaPorte County
The above facilities were identified for temporary suspension of visitations Due to being near an urban area or location where a member of the public was identified as being infected by COVID-19.
IDOC Commissioner Rob Carter commented, “I know how important visitations are to offenders and to their family and friends, but the overriding concern is to limit the opportunity of COVID-19 being introduced into our facilities.” Carter continued, “I’ve directed my staff to assess the need for continued visitation restrictions on a daily basis, and when responsible to do so, restrictions will be lifted, or if necessary, expanded to other facilities to protect staff and offenders.”
Prior to visiting an IDOC facility, friends and family members should visit the Indiana Department of Correction website and search the ‘Find A Facility’ to locate specific prison facilities and see if visitor restrictions are in place.
To learn more click this link to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) website where you can subscribe to ISDH email updates, or click this link for the Center for Disease Control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) information.