Uptick in Coronavirus cases in Federal Prison system

Isabella Basco reports

Their facebook at the federal correctional institution in waseca ?

"* 108 inmates and 3 staff members have tested positive for covid?

"*19.

The federal medical center in rochester has also seen an uptick in cases.

Kimt news 3's isabella basco is talking to both a union leader and a loved one of an inmate.

She joins us live.

Isabella?

George ?

"* 5 staff members have tested positive for the virus here at the federal medical center.

Just now ?

"* a source also tells me the prison just got 2 confirmed cases.

This comes weeks after inmates were transported here from a hotspot.

Now ?

"* staffers and one family member want some things changed.

Xxx "it is scary for people to wonder if they're not bringing this home to their families."

Living in constant fear.

"with it comes even harder times for us because we've been dealing with a staffing shortage for years."

That's how it is working in the incarceration system during this pandemic.

Bill axford ?

"* a union leade*- expects cases will keep increasing in the federal medical center..

"this all happened because of poor policy and the poor policy continues ?

"* there has been no changes as far as we can tell with the shipment of inmates.

Axford says the bureau of prisons needs to change the way it moves inmates around to stop outbreaks.

"you can quarantine them and test them before you ship them out ?

"* then we know ?

"* we're probably relatively safe to ship these people across the country ?

"* you can never be 100 percent certain ?

"* but just a small step like that would make a world of difference."

Julie tackett has a loved one locked up at fmc.

She believes the outbreaks indicate a broken system.

"we're now starting to feel what the rest of the jails and prisons in the united states have experienced since the very beginning."

Tackett believes it's time to consider lowering prison populations.

"most of the people that i know in that facility and their family members are no threat to society ?

"* they're sick, old and dying and it creates i reached out to the bureau of prisons for a statement.

The bureau says if a staff member has symptoms or is in contact with a person who tests positive... staff will get a letter from the bureau to provide to the local health department so they can get covid?

"*19 testing.

Live in rochester ib kimt news 3.

Thanks isabella.

The bureau also says staff.... contractors and other visitors must get a covid?

"*19 screening and temperature check to enter the facility.

Anyone with a temperature of 100 degrees or more