The state Department of Corrections has temporarily suspended prison visits due to COVID-19.The halt will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday and last 30 days.“We recognize that families are a critical support to the population in our care,” NJDOC Commissioner Marcus O. Hicks said. “However, ensuring the health and safety of our inmate population, residents, staff and the public are of paramount importance during this public health crisis.”
To help with other forms of communication between families and those incarcerated, the DOC is
- expanding inmate and resident access to additional phone calls, free-of-charge;
- expanding inmate and resident access to additional JPay kiosk usage and;
- providing the inmate and Residential Community Release Program population access to free postage.
Legal visits are not impacted by the suspension.
Other action the department is taking includes:COVID-19 related health screenings at intake of inmates as part of regular health assessments;
- temperature scans conducted by medical staff donned with personal protective equipment, of all individuals entering NJDOC facilities, with follow-up survey questions, as needed, tracking travel activity and contact with individuals impacted by COVID-19;
- restrictions on the transfer of county inmates that present symptoms of illness;
- enhanced sanitization and education efforts to mitigate the spread of germs and increased availability of hand sanitizer to staff and visitors;
- medically supported personal protective equipment, where and when determined to be medically necessary;
- advanced preparation of medical quarantines for impacted inmates to be utilized if prescribed by medical personnel;
- information sharing with county jails.
For the latest information on COVID-19, state residents are encouraged to visit nj.gov/health/coronavirus or dial the state’s 24/7 hotline at 800-222-1222.
