Development of a COVID-19 Monitoring System for U.S. Correctional and Detention Facilities

Persons experiencing incarceration are disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Correctional environments have demonstrated the potential for rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), high attack rates, and high mortality rates. SARS-CoV-2 can be introduced into correctional/detention facilities through numerous routes, including staff who move between the facility and the community, as well as newly incarcerated/detained persons and those who are transferred between facilities. Inside the facility, SARS-CoV-2 transmission can often be rapid and widespread due to congregate living conditions and limited capacity for physical and social distancing. Transmission between facilities during transfers has been documented in numerous states, sometimes initiating outbreaks in facilities that previously had no cases. In addition to the risks to incarcerated/detained populations and staff working in these facilities, transmission within and among correctional and detention facilities poses a risk to the communities where the facilities are located. Although incarcerated/detained persons cannot move freely, the facilities where they are held are not closed systems; preventing and slowing SARS-CoV-2 transmission within and among correctional and detention facilities will also contribute to the prevention and slowing of community transmission. There is currently no comprehensive data system allowing correctional and detention facilities under the jurisdiction of different federal, state, and local entities to share information related to SARS-CoV-2 in their populations in a direct and secure manner. This Cooperative Agreement will fund the development and pilot implementation of such a system, in order to facilitate communication a) between facilities regarding cross-jurisdictional COVID-19 prevention and b) with public health entities including state and local health departments and CDC. In the future, this data system could be expanded to include other infectious and chronic diseases and behavioral health conditions within correctional and detention populations, in order to improve public health reporting and to facilitate coordination, collaboration, and technical assistance during future public health emergencies as well as routine operations.