The following is a memo from Dan Van Ogle, associate superintendent at Stafford Creek Correctional Facility and Incident Commander dealing with the prison’s COVID response. The memo was made available to prison staff and inmates in the interest of transparency, the state Department of Corrections said. On Wednesday, Corrections officials reported that 663 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19, nearly all of them this month.

From: Dan Van Ogle:

Subject: SCCC COVID-19 Weekly Update

SCCC continues to see positive COVID-19 cases. As a result of the growing number of COVID-19 cases, the facility is working as quickly as possible to create more alternate housing area.

In addition to the gym, we have opened the visit room and upper P building as alternate housing areas per the WA State DOC COVID-19 Screening, Testing, and Infection Control Guideline. We are exploring using the CI lunchroom as an alternate housing area. We anticipate that there will be more movement throughout the facility as we navigate through this difficult time. Plans are being made to include showers, telephones, TV and other needs in these alternate housing areas. The incarcerated individuals in the gym and the visit room are being reviewed for release back to the living units as they approach the end of the 14 day recovery timeframe.

These changes are meant to minimize the short and long-term impacts that our response will have on the incarcerated population. It is our hope by taking these measures that we can mitigate potential exposure and reduce the amount of time it will take to get back to a new normal with our operations.

We understand that this pandemic and the changes in our procedures can be stressful. Please know that every step taken is to ensure that everyone is safe and healthy. Please pay close attention to the PPE matrix to ensure you are wearing the appropriate PPE to stay safe and avoid contracting the virus.

I want to extend my thanks to all staff. l appreciate the extra time and effort you have put in during this pandemic. We will continue to communicate with you as we progress through this pandemic. If you have any questions, please refer them to the Shift Commander. Take care of each other and I wish you all happy holidays.