While the omicron surge may have reached its peak and started to decline, 33 prisons are on a complete lockdown from COVID including Taylorville Correctional Facility, and facilities in Menard, Lincoln, Logan, Jacksonville, and Danville.

At Taylorville Correctional Facility, 267 staff have confirmed they have tested positive with 26 currently dealing with the virus. There are currently 323 inmates that have confirmed tests. According to the IDOC, there are 747 prisoners at the Taylorville facility.  43% of the inmates have tested positive for the virus.

The Illinois Department of Corrections temporarily paused intakes on January 11th from county jails due to the surge of COVID-19 at correctional facilities. IDOC has been using space normally reserved for new admissions to safely quarantine and isolate 

“Congregate living facilities present unique infection control challenges due to the lack of quarantine and isolation space,” said IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys. “The Department recognizes the hardships county jails face when we cannot accept admissions, but we must take aggressive action to keep the community and everyone who lives and works in our facilities safe and healthy.”

IDOC is continuing its aggressive response to COVID-19 across facilities. Regional Radio News is told that all staff and individuals in custody are temperature checked, masked, symptom screened and routinely tested. 75% of the incarcerated population and 66% of staff are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Additionally, thousands of individuals in custody and staff have taken advantage of multiple onsite opportunities to receive a booster shot.