Pender Correctional Institution takes a proactive approach to COVID-19

Four offenders have been diagnosed with Coronavirus

BURGAW –Leadership for the Pender Correctional Institution, a North Carolina Division of Prisons facility, has taken proactive measures to contain and reduce the spread of Coronavirus.

“Currently, the prison has four confirmed cases of COVID-19,” said Carolyn Moser, Pender County Health and Human Services director. “The prison medical staff is proactive and collaborating with the health department’s communicable disease staff.”

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety is taking a proactive and aggressive approach to protect staff and offenders, prison officials state.

Among the actions taken include:

• A moratorium on accepting offenders from county jails;
• Suspension of visitation and offender outside work assignments;
• Medical screenings for all staff entering the prison;
• Reducing offender interactions;
• Providing additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to staff.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the top priority is the safety and health of employees, those incarcerated, and the general public.

“Confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the Pender Correctional Institution are included in the Pender County case count.” Moser said. “The offenders are residents of Pender County and all tests results are recorded with the Pender County Health Department.”