PCF resumes normal operations

Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Putnamville Correctional Facility

PUTNAMVILLE -- With the recent H1N1 flu outbreak settling down at Putnamville Correctional Facility, normal operations resumed on Tuesday, officials announced.

Offender visitation was set to resume and offenders are again participating in their job and program assignments.

Prison officials thanked those who assisted in this transition back to normal operations.

"Putnamville Correctional Facility wishes to thank all the staff, offenders, and their families, Terre Haute Regional Hospital (THRH), the Indiana Department of Health and Safety and Corizon for assistance afforded to them throughout this time of need," the statement read.

Terre Haute Regional has offered Tamiflu to the staff and offenders in the prison who test positive for the virus upon seeing their staff at the hospital.

Current numbers for flu infected offenders stands at one man in ICU at the hospital and five offenders in the facility's health care unit observation area.

Between inmates and staff members, approximately 40 people fell ill as a result of the outbreak.

The inmates most seriously affected suffered from the flu as well as pneumonia brought on by MRSA bacteria.

One offender died as a result of pneumonia.

Even so, one medical monitor working with the correctional facility praised the efforts of Superintendent Brian Smith and his staff.

"Superintendent Smith did a fantastic job with offenders, staff, family and great communication with all in a very challenging situation," medical contract monitor Monica Gibson said.

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