The Ministry of the Solicitor General said it is working closely with the Public Health Sudbury and Districts to respond to the outbreak of inmate COVID-19 cases at Sudbury Jail.
Each provincial correctional facility has its own pandemic plan in place prepared in consultation with local public health partners.
“In consultation with the Public Health Sudbury and Districts, and to ensure the safety and well-being of both correctional services staff and those in provincial custody, the ministry has decided to temporarily close the Sudbury Jail for a minimum of 14 days,” said ministry spokesperson Andrew Morrison.
Some 145 inmates from Sudbury Jail will be transferred to other facilities that have capacity and ability to isolate these inmates under droplet precautions separately from the general population. Staff assigned to transfer inmates are following appropriate infection control protocols to prevent the risk of any further spread of infection.
“This temporary closure will allow facility staff to self-isolate and reduce the risk of transmission within the community,” said the ministry.
All appropriate COVID-19-related protocols are in place at the receiving facilities, and the inmates from the Sudbury Jail who are COVID-19 positive will be isolated from the rest of the inmate population under droplet precautions at the receiving facilities while they receive appropriate medical care.
The ministry is working with the health unit to complete contact tracing of inmate cases.
The outbreak has impacted services at the jail as it will remain closed for at least two weeks.
John Howard Society CEO Sara-Jane Berghammer said she contacted Sudbury Jail about their library program this is scheduled for Tuesday evening.
“We were informed that all services are suspended until further notice,” Berghammer said in an email. “We will be contacting the jail weekly in hopes of obtaining an update, as we are looking forward to resuming service.”
