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FRAMINGHAM – There are no active case, as of today, August 31, at MCI-Framingham, said a Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) spokesperson.
Last Wednesday, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts designated the City of Framingham as one of nine high-risk communities for the coronavirus. Framingham had the 7th highest rate of infection over the last 14 days.
Hot spots in the City of Framingham are located in Districts 7-8-9, where the city has set up walk-up testing sites.
But the new outbreak of cases can not be linked to the prison in South Framingham.
To promote social distancing and suppress the potential for the virus to spread, the department of corrections in late March curtailed general visitation, and in early April, intra-facility movement and congregate activities.
General visitation has resumed with health and safety precautions in place at four DOC minimum-security and pre-release facilities, and attorney visits remain ongoing, according to the state.
The phased resumption of visitation is contingent upon testing data and positivity rates within that facility and the broader community.
In line with public health guidance, the DOC has begun to slowly reinstate certain services and activities.
The DOC has implemented additional tier time and outdoor “fresh air” time at each facility.
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Limited community work crews have been reinstated on a case-by-case basis and inmate employment resumed, with approximately 2000 inmates currently back at work.
MassCor Industries alone has seen the return of approximately 200 inmates to their workshops. Chaplains, programming/vocational staff, and
librarians have also returned to work.
Barber shops are re-opening, and outdoor dining has been implemented at some facilities.
The DOC continues to make assessments to further relax internal movement restrictions in a way that is responsible, appropriate, and
safe for inmates, staff, and the public.
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MetroWest Medical Center