COVID-19 Notice of Compliance with Supreme Court Directive April 8,2020

Overview

This document is a formal notice filed by the Court of Common Pleas in Blair County, Pennsylvania (24th Judicial District). It details how the Blair County Prison (BCP) has complied with a Pennsylvania Supreme Court directive regarding the management of inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The notice was issued on April 8, 2020, following an emergency public meeting held that same day.

Prison Population Management

The Blair County Prison has taken significant steps to reduce population density and protect inmates from the virus. Key actions include:

• Inmate Releases: Since March 19, 2020, 112 inmates have been released. Many were sent to inpatient drug and alcohol treatment facilities, while others were placed on electronic monitoring.
• Transfers: Since April 6, 2020, 35 inmates were transferred to state correctional institutions.
• Coordination: These releases and transfers were conducted with the cooperation of the District Attorney’s office, the Public Defender’s Office, and Blair County Adult Parole and Probation.

Health and Safety Protocols

The prison has implemented strict health measures in coordination with its healthcare provider, Prime Care, and CDC guidelines:

• Visitation: In-person visitation has been cancelled.
• Communication: Extra phone calls have been provided free of charge to inmates.
• Protective Gear: Non-medical cloth masks have been issued to all staff, and wearing them is mandatory.
• Sanitation: The frequency of cleaning procedures for all facilities has been increased.
• Contingency Planning: Protocols are in place to handle potential outbreaks or other contingencies.

Legal and Administrative Actions

• Bail Modifications: The Public Defender’s office filed approximately 60 applications for bail modification prior to this order. The District Attorney and Public Defender agreed to meet to discuss these cases, resulting in consent bail modifications for some inmates.
• Ongoing Collaboration: The court found that the District Attorney and Public Defender continue to collaborate to address the crisis.
• Future Meetings: Additional meetings of relevant stakeholders will be held as needed to address the fluid situation.

Signatory

The document was signed by Elizabeth A. Doyle, P. J. (President Judge) on behalf of the Court.