Since last 22 December, more than 5, 12 inmates in the Rikers Island jail, some 800 of them younger than 21 years old, had never seen to his friends and family, due to the prohibition of access to the prison, after the high increase in cases of COVID-19, due to the omicron variant that reached exceed 21% in positivity levels.
But as of this Wednesday, visits to the prison, where about 7 work, 50 guards, were reactivated with strict security protocols, among which attention to visits only to 50% of the capacity.
Furthermore, and in compliance with the regulations issued yesterday by Governor Kathy Hochul, the use of masks inside the prison facilities will be a requirement, as well as all visitors over 5 years of age must present proof of vaccination and undergo a rapid test for COVID, before entering the facilities.
“I am very pleased that we have crossed another threshold in our fight against this virus”, said the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections Louis Molina, after referring to the resumption of visits.
“Visits in person are important, because they keep people in custody connected to their families and communities and contribute to their emotional well-being, all of which make our prisons safer and more humane,” added Molina.
El The Department of Corrections also assured that one of the priorities will be to promote improved security work to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“In order to ensure the safety of visitors, persons in custody, and staff, visitors must adhere to the above protocols for visits during the COVID, including filling out forms screening and affirmation of COVID, temperature taking, social distancing and the proper use of masks so that the nose and mouth are covered throughout the visit”, assured the City prison agency.
Regarding the vaccination requirements, the Department of Corrections mentioned that all visitors between the ages of 5 and 12 years old must present a vaccination card, with at least one dose. In the case of visitors aged 12 years and older, all must comply with the complete immunization schedule.
The DOC added that visitors who are unable to provide proof of vaccination and/or test positive may register to visit online.
Another important detail is that the visits will be without an appointment until 16 February, but after that date, friends and family of inmates who wish to enter the prison must schedule their visits in person, on the DOC website at the link: https://www1.nyc. gov/site/doc/inmate-info/In-PersonVisits.page