Allegheny Co. Jail On Lockdown After 11 Employees Sickened
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Allegheny County Jail has been placed on lockdown after 11 employees were sickened by an unknown odor or substance.
According to Allegheny County officials, the employees began falling ill around 10 p.m. Sunday.
The nine corrections officers and two medical personnel staff members were all evaluated at the hospital and have since been released.
No determination has been made as to what has caused it.
But officials say jail staff are interviewing inmates and doing searches in an effort to find out what it is that's causing the illnesses.
Allegheny County Police are also investigating.
County officials say the jail has been put on lockdown, similar to the state correctional facilities that have also been dealing with incidents of employees mysteriously falling ill.
There have been multiple incidents in recent weeks at SCI Greene, as well as at least one at SCI Somerset.
Allegheny County Jail Warden Orlando Harper released the following statement Monday evening:
"The issue of contraband is one that is faced by jails and prisons throughout the country, and not unique to Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, or the Allegheny County Jail. As jail officials, we are constantly on alert for ways that individuals get contraband into the facility, and to try to determine what that contraband may be. We consistently reinforce our policies and procedures with staff and, when appropriate, take steps to strengthen those policies and procedures.
"These policies and procedures exist so operations can be conducted in a safe and secure manner. As an example, we identified general inmate mail as a source of contraband. As a result, general inmate mail is now photocopied, and it is the copy of the communication that is provided to the inmate rather than the original document. As a second example, paperback books, magazines and newspapers must be sent directly from the publisher. Additionally, all cells are searched on an ongoing basis for contraband. The most common search is peripheral and visual, and occurs several times each day. A less frequent search is conducted with additional staff and includes a more in-depth search of a cell and can involve the removal of items in the cell, and a closer inspection of materials in it, including paperwork. In January, ACJ leadership, working with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC), secured an Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), also referred to as an ion scanner, for the facility. An ion scanner is a trace detective device that can identify small amounts of particles, most commonly narcotics and explosives.
"The DOC Secretary and SCIs have been very supportive and helpful with information regarding the state lockdown and the reasons for it and have kept our facility updated as well. Information has been shared with our staff, and we have used the opportunity to remind our staff of their responsibilities as well. Training information has been made available for all staff to review as required training. Our leadership continuously works with the DOC, union leadership, medical staff, the Health Department and others to identify what other appropriate precautions should be taken as new information is received and challenges identified.
"As noted previously, since approximately 10 PM last night, we have had 11 employees - nine corrections officers and two medical personnel – become sickened from an unknown odor or substance at the Allegheny County Jail. All employees were taken to the hospital for evaluation and have been released. No other employees have become ill, and no inmates were impacted. No determination has been made as to what has caused it, but it is being treated similarly to the issue at the state correctional institutions.
"For that reason, the Allegheny County Jail will be locked down until further notice to ensure the safety and security of all those at the facility. A lockdown means that there are no visits, inmates are restricted to their cells, and no programming is occurring. The facility is currently undergoing multiple searches for contraband. County Police are also investigating. Additional information will be provided when it is available.
"Finally, our policies and procedures are always under constant review and are strengthened, as appropriate, to improve our processes. That is certainly the case with this specific issue as we continue to look closely at incidents such as this to determine how we can improve what we do and prevent a recurrence of these issues."
