Billerica jail not taking virus results for granted

Individuals housed in a group setting present an ideal situation for the spread of the coronavirus.

That’s a constant concern in the state’s prison system, where inmates’ daily routines revolve around living in confined spaces while overseen by another vulnerable population, corrections officers and additional support staff.

That’s why the COVID-free record of the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction in Billerica stands out as a truly remarkable feat, especially in relation to other Massachusetts correctional facilities.

In a statement released Friday, Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian noted that “thanks to the diligent efforts of staff, incarcerated individuals and our medical advisers,” there hasn’t been a single positive COVID case recorded among inmates in nearly 10 weeks.

The last positive test occurred on Sept. 29. Since then, 60 prisoners have been tested with negative results. In fact, the one positive test previous to that came on Aug. 13, as opposed to nearly 100 negative tests between then and Sept. 29.

Now, compare those results with the experience of other nearby incarcerated populations.

And although these numbers actually show a generally positive COVID trend, they underscore this virus’ volatile nature, and the difficulty in preventing its spread.

According to recently released Department of Correction data, MCI-Shirley reported 21 coronavirus cases on Dec. 2, a dramatic decrease from the 142 positive results on Nov. 25, which had earned that facility the dubious distinction of having the most COVID cases.

The same pattern occurred at MCI- Concord, which saw its positive

COVID cases drop to 20 on Dec. 2, down from 96 on

Nov. 25.

On the flipside, Gardner’s prison recorded 59 active cases on Dec. 2, compared to just a single positive test on Nov. 25.

The DOC also disclosed that eight inmates inside its prison system have died from coronavirus, including three in Shirley.

Corrections officers have also been impacted. As of Dec. 1, MCI- Concord had 37 confirmed cases of coronavirus among its corrections officers, while MCI-Shirley had 28 corrections officers test positive. In Shirley’s other prison, the maximum-security Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, seven guards have tested positive for the coronavirus.

And while its results have been impressive, the Billerica jail plans to take even more precautionary steps.

That’s why Sheriff Koutoujian has instituted further anti-coronavirus safeguards: “Despite these efforts, we are going further. We know that continued vigilance is our best protection from this virus.”

The new measures, designed in part to help incarcerated individuals remain connected to loved ones despite the rise in coronavirus cases across the region, include:

Shifting some in-person programming currently facilitated by volunteers and outside contractors to the virtual-delivery system that already exists for other programs.

Offering free, voluntary testing for Middlesex Sheriff ’s Office staff members two days per week at the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction.

Limiting outside-vendor activity to emergency services only.

These measures will complement the several other mitigation initiatives already in place.

Some existing measures include mandatory wearing of facial masks for staff while on duty. All incarcerated individuals are issued a new mask each week, which must be worn while outside of their cells; those in dorm settings must wear them at all times.

Also, newly arriving prisoners receive medical screenings.

We realize that until effective coronavirus vaccines become available in mass quantities, prisoners and people living in congregate housing like long-term-care facilities will remain especially susceptible to this virus.

However, as Sheriff Koutoujian and his staff have shown, constant attention to detail — and maybe a little luck — will see us through.