Since the COVID-19 vaccine was made available one year ago, CDCR and CCHCS have vaccinated 80% of the incarcerated population. Currently, 68% of staff are vaccinated. To mark the occasion, several institutions and divisions shared highlights from throughout the year with Inside CDCR. The COVID-19 vaccine and boosters are available at no cost to any staff member or incarcerated person who requests it.
CCHCS sees hundreds vaccinated during three information fairs
During the first CDCR/CCHCS Vaccine Fair in April at CSP-Los Angeles County, 43 patients received COVID-19 vaccines. The educational event included trivia challenges, an art contest, and guest speakers sharing their reasons for getting vaccinated, as well as the opportunity to get vaccinated during the event. Fairs were held later at Salinas Valley State Prison and Pleasant Valley State Prison, resulting in nearly 300 people receiving the vaccine at those institutions, with an additional 179 getting their flu shot.
CDCR, DAPO hosts successful vaccine, booster clinics
In an ongoing effort to enhance employee and public safety, the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) partnered with Advantage Healthcare Services to host DAPO’s COVID-19 Vaccination/Booster Clinics in the Northern and Southern regions.
The clinics were available to all active and retired DAPO staff, their families, and friends over the age of 18. A statewide total of 52 people received their COVID-19 booster. At the Irvine Parole Complex, the first clinic was held in July. Meanwhile, the Southern Region Headquarters clinics were held in November and December.
On December 14, Southern Region Headquarters had 26 employees get their vaccine or booster shot. DAPO is also working on setting up clinics for the San Diego and Orange County areas in January 2022.
Communities, volunteers help prison system during pandemic
CDCR often provides support to the community and is extremely grateful the community provided help during one of the toughest years in our history.
Community-based organizations and local communities banded together during the COVID-19 pandemic to help boost morale and donate supplies within the prison system. Churches, nonprofits, volunteer organizations, Inmate Family Councils, and businesses donated masks, hand sanitizer, soap, food and moral support to all who live and work in the institutions.
At California Men’s Colony, the doctor is in
In May 2021, Doctor Johannes Haar, who serves as Chief Medical Executive at the California Men’s Colony (CMC), did his best Dr. Lucy imitation. It was just one of many methods he has used to educate CMC staff on the benefits of vaccination. Throughout the pandemic, Dr. Haar has used creativity and his passion for educating others to ensure the staff and incarcerated population were properly informed about the COVID-19 inoculations made available by CDCR and CCHCS.