Though virus has torn through correctional facilities, most prison workers are declining vaccines
By Laura Crimaldi Globe Staff,Updated February 14, 2021, 5:04 p.m.
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An inmate is returned to his cell by a correctional officer at the Worcester County Jail and House of Corrections in West Boylston. Officials started administering COVID-19 coronavirus vaccines in Massachusetts correctional facilities in late January.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
More than half of the employees in the Massachusetts Department of Correction have declined the stateâs offer to get the COVID-19 vaccine at work, even as the virus has wreaked havoc across the prison system, infecting roughly 900 workers and killing 21 inmates.
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On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union (MCOFU) endorsed Jeffrey Turco for State Representative, 19th Suffolk District. The seat was vacated by former Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and a Special Election is set for March 30th with the primary being held on March 2nd.
“In the opinion of our Executive Board, Jeff Turco will fight hard for public safety and to improve the quality of lives for the residents in the District,” said Kevin Flanagan, MCOFU Legislative Representative.
The MCOFU currently represents all employees in Bargaining Unit 4 of the DOC, Bristol County Jail and House of Correction CO’s, the Plymouth County BCI and Communication Officers and the Dukes County Correction Officers.
With coronavirus outbreaks spiking at Massachusetts correctional facilities over the past two months, officials are taking a further step to try to stop the spread of the virus behind bars.
Beginning last week, the Department of Correction now requires anyone visiting a state prison to have had a negative coronavirus test within the previous three days. General visitation to state prisons was suspended in November, so the new rule applies to those authorized to visit such as contractors and attorneys. The DOC says remote meeting arrangements will be made for attorneys who are not able to provide a recent negative test result. The department says it is modifying visitation policies to further protect inmates from the introduction of COVID-19 into DOC facilities.
Inmates, correctional workers to be among first to get vaccine in Mass But rollout plan is hazy bostonglobe.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bostonglobe.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.