PRESS RELEASE
December 23, 2020
FDC Responds to COVID-19 at Lawtey Correctional Institution
Measures continue to protect inmate population and staff.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On December 23, Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) announced new positive test results of COVID-19 within the inmate population at Lawtey Correctional Institution. FDC received positive results back for additional inmates who were exposed to a COVID-19. At this time, 267 inmates housed at Lawtey CI have tested positive for COVID-19. Lawtey CI houses approximately 900 inmates.
The great majority of inmates at Lawtey CI who have tested positive presented mild or no symptoms of the virus when they were tested. All inmates continue to be provided with on-going medical care and monitoring by facility health care professionals who follow CDC guidelines for the prevention, evaluation, treatment and management of COVID-19. Working in tandem with security staff, they are ensuring that inmates receive the care they need while still fulfilling FDC’s important public safety mission.
As the health care provider for inmates, FDC cannot provide additional specifics regarding the unit in order to safeguard their protected health information.
To keep Florida residents, inmates at the facility and visitors safe and aware about the status of the virus, FDC is issuing regular updates as information becomes available at www.dc.state.fl.us/comm/covid-19.html.
In addition to measures already in place to protect inmates, FDC initiated the following actions:
FDC is closely monitoring developments associated with the spread of this disease. FDC's Office of Health Services, institutional medical staff and institutional operations staff work hand- in-hand with the Department of Health to quickly engage and resolve infectious disease outbreaks as soon as they occur.
Ensuring inmates incarcerated in Florida’s prisons receive an appropriate level of medical and behavioral treatment is one of FDC’s core constitutional responsibilities.
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As Florida's largest state agency, and the third largest state prison system in the country, FDC employs 24,000 members, incarcerates 80,000 inmates and supervises nearly 146,000 offenders in the community.
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