Crime & Safety
Coronavirus: Bristol County Prison Visitation Ban Extended
The prohibition on visitations at Bristol County prisons was extended after a bump in positive staff, inmate positive coronavirus tests.
ATTLEBORO, MA — The new coronavirus visitation ban at Bristol County prisons and detention centers has been extended. The Bristol County Sheriff's Office announced what it called "the last thing anyone here wants" on Thursday as a "an important safety measure that was necessary as we face the COVID challenge."
"The visitation suspension will continue until further notice," the Sheriff's Office said. "We will resume visitation as soon as possible depending on guidance from the Governor's Office and the CDC."
The Sheriff's Office said inmates will continue to receive two free phone calls a week in lieu of visitation privileges.
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Community Advisory: The visitation suspension will continue until further notice. We will resume visitation as soon as possible depending on guidance from the Governor's Office and the CDC. (1/3)
— Bristol County Sheriff's Office (@BristolSheriff) May 14, 2020
The Bristol County prisons experienced a spike in positive tests this week when it announced Tuesday that six staff members and eight inmates had tested positive for the virus. Since the start of the coronavirus health crisis there have been nine inmates and 18 staff members who have tested positive, as well as one ICE detainee. Seven of the staff members have been cleared to return to duty, while 11 others are recovering, according to the Sheriff's office.
The Sheriff's office said on Tuesday that the prisoners were in isolation in the medical unit, and those in their units were being monitored for symptoms.
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The Bristol County prison system has also been at the center of a coronavirus-related controversy in recent weeks after the Attorney General Maura Healey launched an investigation into a disturbance involving ICE detainees two weeks ago.
Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson released a statement on May 1 saying that a group of 10 detainees rushed officers after they claimed coronavirus symptoms, the refused mandatory testing at the medical unit. Hodgson said "extensive" damage was done as the detainees barricaded themselves in a unit and trashed washing machines.
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