Connecticut lawmakers want an investigation after report of COVID outbreak at Danbury prison

Repost from wshu Public Radio By Davis Dunavin

More than half the women at a federal prison in Danbury tested positive for COVID-19, but the prison didn’t immediately isolate them or tell them they had the virus. That’s according to allegations in a letter from U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, and Representative Jahana Hayes.

The three lawmakers asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to look into the allegations at a minimum-security camp that’s part of the prison.

According to the allegations, prison officials returned more than a dozen inmates with COVID-19 back into the dorms with other inmates after they tested positive. And they didn’t tell them or separate them for more than 24 hours.

The lawmakers called the prison’s actions “shockingly reckless,” if true. And they said they endanger women at the prison, staff and surrounding communities.

A Bureau of Prisons spokesperson said the bureau is reviewing the letter, but does not share congressional correspondence with the public.

The bureau said it follows CDC guidance with regard to quarantine and isolation procedures.