CS 320395-A 11/19/2020

COVID-19 Management Assessment and Response 

Tool (CMAR) for Correctional and Detention Facilities

Purpose

The purpose of this tool is to facilitate communication between staff of public health agencies and correctional and detention facilities that have been 

identified as high-risk settings for transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Correctional and detention 

facilities face unique challenges in the control of COVID-19. Facilities include custody, housing, education, recreation, healthcare, food service, and 

workplace components in congregate settings, where recommended physical/social distancing may often be impractical. In response, the Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed guiding principles for healthcare and non-healthcare administrators of correctional and detention facilities 

and their respective health departments, to assist in preparing for potential introduction, transmission, and mitigation of COVID-19 in their facilities. See 

Interim Guidance on Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Correctional and Detention Facilities for full guidance on the response 

measures to protect the health and safety of persons who are incarcerated and detained, staff, and visitors. Additional guidance regarding testing is 

described in the Interim Considerations for SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Correctional and Detention Facilities. 

This tool can help state and local health departments provide technical assistance to correctional and detention facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Each question in this document is intended to initiate discussion between the health department interviewer and facility representative(s) about a specific 

part of CDC’s guidance for correctional and detention facilities. Some questions have discrete response options while other are open-ended. A “Notes” 

column is provided to capture the facility’s responses and any needs for follow-up on a particular topic. Use of this tool is voluntary, and health departments 

can select questions that are most relevant for the facility. If CDC assistance is needed, complete this form and return to EOCEvent366@cdc.gov. Returning 

the completed form to CDC can also provide perspectives from the field that can inform future CDC guidance.

How to use this tool

Health departments can complete the tool with the facility by phone or in person during a site visit. To respond to the questions in this tool, correctional 

facility staff should have knowledge of facility operations, staffing, healthcare, and cleaning procedures.

Section 1 (Interview Details) gathers information on the respondent and facility.

Section 2 (Facility Information) asks how persons who are incarcerated or detained are housed. It may be helpful to share and review maps or floor plans 

before responding to the questions in this section.

Sections 3-5 (COVID-19 Testing and Cases, Screening and Monitoring of Visitors and Facility Staff, and Screening and Monitoring of Incarcerated or 

Detained Persons) facilitates discussion around how the facility is dealing with COVID-19 infections and outbreaks and how to manage transmission among 

facility staff and incarcerated or detained persons. 

Section 6 (Environmental Cleaning, Hygiene and Supplies) allows for discussion on prevention practices including cleaning and disinfecting procedures, 

hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) and face masks, and signage and education efforts. 

Section 7 (Flu Vaccination) asks about the availability of flu vaccinations for staff and incarcerated or detained persons. 

In each section, introductory text highlighted in gray provides prompts to guide the conversation, if needed. CDC guidance on each topic is provided in 

italics under the question text, and in some cases is linked to more detailed resources where available. 

cdc.gov/coronavirus
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Section 1: Interview Details

Interviewer Name: Interview Date:

Interview Method: Phone In-Person Other

Good morning/afternoon. My name is , and I am from the [health department name]. May I speak with ?

Hi, . My name is with the [health department name], thank you for setting up time with me today. 

This conversation is intended for you to share your experience in managing COVID-19 in your facilities, so that we can better understand your 

needs and provide additional information that could be helpful. Please feel free to ask questions at any time. 

This conversation will probably take around 1 hour but may be longer depending on your needs and questions. Thank you in advance for your 

time. Let’s start with information about your facility. 

Respondent Name:

Respondent Title:

Respondent Phone/email:

Facility Name:

Facility County: Facility Zip code: Facility State:

Type of facility: Federal prison State prison Local jail Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Other, specify:

Is the facility operated by a private contractor? Yes No

If yes, what is the name of the contractor that operates the facility?

Section 2: Facility Information 

This section will ask questions about your facility. 

1) Which jurisdictions or entities house populations at your facility? Select all that apply. 

Your own state

Your local city or county

Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)

US Marshals Service

Other states

Other cities or counties

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Other, specify: 

2) Does your facility function as a jail (housing people pre-trial or during trial), prison (housing people after sentencing), and/or immigration 

detention facility? Select all that apply.

Jail Prison Immigration detention

3) What gender groups are housed at your facility? Select all that apply.

Male Female Transgender Other, specify:

4) What age groups are housed at your facility? Select all that apply.

Adult Juvenile (Age range: )

5) Please describe the security level of your facility. If there are multiple security levels in the facility complex, please describe.
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Facility Layout Notes

6) Does your facility have dorm-based housing? If yes, can you describe 

how dorms, beds, and bathroom facilities are configured? 

No dorm-based housing in the facility

Yes, fill in the following:

Number of dorm-based housing units:

Number (or range) of people in each dorm:

Number (or range) of communal spaces in each dorm (e.g., TV room):

7) Does your facility have cell-based housing units? If yes, can you 

describe how the units are organized and how often and how long 

people are out of their cells? 

No cell-based units in the facility

Yes, fill in the following:

Number of cell-based housing units:

Number (or range) of people in each cell:

Do the cells have solid doors and walls, or open bars (or a 

combination)? Please describe.

Section 3: COVID-19 Testing and Cases

Now let’s talk about COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 cases reported at your facility. You may not have information to respond to 

all these questions, but please answer as many as you can. A better understanding of testing and cases in your facility will help us 

determine how best to assist you. 

8) Total number of staff who work in the facility:

Total number of incarcerated or detained persons in the facility (as of today):

Total number of incarcerated or detained persons your facility has capacity to house:

For questions below regarding dates that confirmed COVID-19 cases were identified, provide specimen collection date, if available. 

9) Date the first confirmed1 case (tested onsite or offsite) was identified among staff:

Date the most recent confirmed case (tested onsite or offsite) was identified among staff:

10) Date the first confirmed case was identified among incarcerated/detained persons:

Date the most recent confirmed case was identified among incarcerated/detained persons:

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COVID-19 case definition: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nndss/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/case-definition/2020/
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(11) COVID-19 Testing 

(PCR or antigen testing only)

TESTED

Asymptomatic

TESTED

Symptomatic2

TESTED

Total 

Positive for 

SARS-CoV-2

Incarcerated/detained

Staff (employer-sponsored testing)

Staff (non-employer testing, e.g., health 

department or personal healthcare provider)

(12) COVID-19 Cases

PROBABLE/

SUPECTED

Current

PROBABLE/

SUPECTED3

Total

LABORATORYCONFIRMED4

Current5

LABORATORYCONFIRMED

Total

HOSPITALIZED

Current

HOSPITALIZED

Total Died

Incarcerated/detained

Staff (employer-sponsored testing)

Elements to discuss Notes

13) Which of the following groups of incarcerated or detained persons

do you test for COVID-19? Staff testing will be addressed in a 

separate question.Select all that apply.

Transfer in/out

Newly incarcerated/detained persons at entry

Incarcerated/detained persons before release

Incarcerated/detained persons before transfer to another facility

Existing population

Symptomatic persons

Close contacts of confirmed and suspected cases

Before release from quarantine

Have you encountered challenges in offering testing to any of 

these groups? 

Guidance: Testing is recommended for all groups above. An individual is considered 

a close contact if they a) have been within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more 

or b) have had direct contact with infectious secretions from a person who has 

COVID-19 (e.g., have shared air space with a person who is coughing).

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For a list of COVID-19 symptoms, visit the CDC website here. 3

Probable/suspected = has symptoms of COVID-19 (see symptoms list) or suspected to have COVID-19, but has not been tested or test results are pending 4

Probable/suspected = has symptoms of COVID-19 (see symptoms list) or suspected to have COVID-19, but has not been tested or test results are pending 5

Total = cumulative including current COVID-19 cases
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Elements to discuss Notes

14) Are you able to provide a COVID-19 test for all incarcerated or 

detained persons who show symptoms and to all close contacts

of persons with COVID-19? If no, what challenges do you face that 

prevent testing?

Testing available for all symptomatic and close contacts

Testing available for all symptomatic but not close contacts

Testing not available for all symptomatic or close contacts

If yes, what type(s) of tests do you offer?

Point-of-care RT-PCR tests

Lab-based PCR tests

Antigen test

Guidance: All persons with COVID-19 signs or symptoms should be tested. All close 

contacts of persons with COVID-19 should also be tested regardless of whether they 

have symptoms. 

15) Have you conducted broad-based testing among incarcerated/

detained persons? If so, how many times, and when was the 

last time? What prompted the decision to conduct broadbased testing? Can you describe how operations or housing 

arrangements were modified based on results?

No, have not conducted broad-based testing

Yes, conducted broad-based testing

Guidance: Broad-based testing, which is defined as offering testing to an entire 

housing unit or facility at the same time regardless of symptoms, can be considered 

when there are so many close contacts of a person who has COVID-19 that contact 

tracing and targeted testing are impracticable.

16) Which of the following groups of staff do you test for COVID-19 

onsite? Select all that apply.

Symptomatic staff

Close contacts of symptomatic persons

Asymptomatic persons (i.e., routine/surveillance testing of staff 

for prevention)

Staff have been included in broad-based testing events

No testing has been conducted among staff

Have you encountered challenges in offering tests to any of 

these groups? 

Guidance: Staff should seek testing if they have signs or symptoms consistent with 

COVID-19, or if they have had a potential exposure to a person who has COVID-19. 

CDC recommends that staff be included in considerations for broad-based testing 

(testing all persons in a housing unit or facility regardless of symptoms and 

regardless of known contact with a person who has COVID-19, as prevention). 
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Any other concerns, questions, or items to discuss regarding COVID-19 testing or cases?

List any next steps for follow up.

Section 4: Screening and Monitoring of Facility Staff and Visitors

This next section will include questions about screening and monitoring of symptoms among staff and visitors at your facility. 

Elements to discuss Notes

17) Have you suspended in-person visitation at your facility? If not, 

what procedures are in place to prevent transmission of COVID-19 

during visitation? 

Yes, visitation has been suspended

No, visitation has not been suspended

Guidance: CDC recommends that in-person visitation be suspended during the 

COVID-19 pandemic.. Provide access to virtual visitation options where available. If 

in-person visitation is continuing, further guidance on screening visitors (which will 

be similar to guidance for screening employees) can be located here.

18) Do you perform temperature checks and symptom screening of 

all staff daily when they enter the facility? If yes, can you describe 

how staff are screened (including the location of screening)? 

Yes, staff are screened at entry

No, staff are not screened at entry

Guidance: Verbal screening questions and temperature checks should be conducted 

for anyone entering the facility. Those conducting the screening should wear 

a surgical mask, eye protection, and disposable gloves. Other strategies can 

include reliance on social distancing or barriers/partitions. If a person has a fever 

(temperature of 100.4°F or higher) or other COVID-19 symptoms, they should not be 

permitted access to the facility and should be advised to seek medical evaluation for 

possible COVID-19 testing. 

19) What is the facility’s policy for staff members who develop 

symptoms during a shift? 

Guidance: If the employee becomes sick during the day, they should put on a face 

mask (if not already wearing one), should besent home immediately, and should 

consider seeking COVID-19 testing. Employers should inform other staff about 

possible exposure in the workplace in a manner that is consistent with workplace 

laws and regulations (e.g., U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

andthe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA))
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Elements to discuss Notes

20) What is the facility’s policy when a staff member is exposed to 

someone with COVID-19? 

Guidance: If a staff member is a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, the 

facility should consider requiring the employee to self-quarantine at home for 14 

days and self-monitor for symptoms. However, in order to maintain staffing levels 

in critical infrastructure sectors such as corrections, exposed staff may be permitted 

to continue working, as long as they remain asymptomatic, wear a mask on site for 

14 days after their last exposure, practice social distancing, are screened daily before 

entry, self-monitor for symptoms, and the facility regularly cleans and disinfects all 

common surfaces.

21) What is the facility’s policy when a staff member is confirmed or 

suspected to have COVID-19? 

Guidance: If a staff member has confirmed or suspected COVID-19, staff should 

self-isolate and should meet CDC criteria for ending home isolation before returning 

to work. 

22) What is the facility’s sick leave policy for staff employed by the 

facility? What are the sick leave policies for staff employed by 

contractors? Do staff sometimes come to work when they have 

COVID-like symptoms?

23) In what areas of the facility do staff interact or come in close 

contact with one another (for example, break rooms, locker 

rooms, shared offices)? What precautions are you taking to 

prevent transmission between staff members in these spaces?

Any other concerns, questions, or items to discuss regarding screening and monitoring of facility staff and visitors?

List any next steps for follow up. 
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Section 5: Screening and Monitoring of Incarcerated or Detained Persons

Next, we will ask questions about screening and monitoring of incarcerated or detained persons for COVID-19 at your facility. 

A. Intake, Release and Transfers

Elements to discuss Notes

24) Do you perform temperature checks and/or symptom screening 

for all new incarcerated or detained persons arriving at the 

facility? If yes, can you describe the process? 

Yes, new intakes are screened at entry

No, new intakes are not screened at entry

Guidance: Verbal screening questions and temperature checks should be conducted 

for all new incarcerated/detained persons at intake. Screening should take place 

in an outdoor space prior to entry, in the sally port, or at the point of entry into the 

facility immediately upon entry, before beginning the intake process.

25) Are new intakes quarantined separately from the general 

population for 14 days? 

Yes, new intakes are quarantined separately

No, new intakes are not quarantined separately

Guidance: If possible, consider quarantining allnew intakes for 14 days before they 

enter the facility’s general population, separately from other individuals who are 

quarantined due to contact with a person with COVID-19.

26) Have you been able to suspend transfers of incarcerated/

detained persons to and from other facilities during the COVID-19 

pandemic? If yes, please provide dates of suspension and other 

relevant details. If no, who is still being transferred in and out 

and why?

Yes, transfers suspended 

No, transfers not suspended

Guidance: All transfers should be suspended when there is a COVID-19 case at the 

facility unless necessary for medical evaluation, medical isolation/quarantine, care, 

extenuating security concerns, or to prevent overcrowding.

27) Have you suspended work release programs in the community? 

Please provide dates of work release program suspension and 

other relevant details. If no, why is work release continuing, and 

are persons in work release programs regularly tested or housed 

separately from those who remain inside the facility?

Yes, work release programs suspended

No, work release programs not suspended

Guidance: All work releases should be suspended when there is a case at the facility. 

When there are not cases inside the facility but there is transmission in the outside 

community, consider suspending work release, particularly to work sites that are also 

congregate settings (e.g., food processing facilities).
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Elements to discuss Notes

28) How are you handling movements of incarcerated/detained 

persons outside of the facility (e.g., for court appearances or 

outside medical visits)?

Guidance: Consider virtual options for court appearances, where allowable. Provide 

access to virtual visitation options when possible. Consider postponing non-urgent 

outside medical visits and use telemedicine where possible.

B. Isolation and Quarantine

Elements to discuss Notes

29) Are you able to individually isolate persons with suspected

COVID-19? If yes, please describe your isolation procedure and 

how many persons can be isolated individually in the facility. 

Yes, persons with suspected COVID-19 are isolated individually

No, persons with suspected COVID-19 are housed with persons 

with confirmed COVID-19

No, persons with suspected COVID-19 are housed with others 

without confirmed/suspected COVID-19

Guidance: Persons with COVID-19 symptoms who have not yet been tested (or 

whose test results are pending) should be medically isolated, ideally in individual 

spaces to prevent potential transmission to/from others.

30) Are you able to medically isolate persons with confirmed 

COVID-19 in your facility? If not, why not?

Yes, persons with confirmed COVID-19 are isolated (either 

individually or as a cohort)

No, persons with confirmed COVID-19 are housed with persons 

with suspected COVID-19 

No, persons with confirmed COVID-19 are housed with persons 

without confirmed/suspected COVID-19

Guidance: People with confirmed COVID-19 infection should be medically isolated 

from others to prevent transmission. They can be isolated individually or as a cohort 

but should be separated from suspected cases. 
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Elements to discuss Notes

31) How do you determine when to end medical isolation for 

incarcerated or detained persons with confirmed or suspected 

COVID-19? 

Guidance: For persons with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are not 

severely immunocompromised, medical isolation can be discontinued when: 

1) at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared (or since first 

positive RT-PCR or antigen test, if asymptomatic) and 2) at least 24 hours have 

passed since last fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications and 3) 

symptoms have improved. For persons with severe illness or who are severely 

immunocompromised, medical isolation can be discontinued when: 1) at least 20 

days have passed since symptoms first appeared (or since first positive RT-PCR or 

antigen test, if asymptomatic) and 2) at least 24 hours have passed since last fever, 

without the use of fever-reducing medications and 3) symptoms have improved. 

Consider consultation with infection control experts. See Duration of isolation for 

more information.

32) Are you able to quarantine persons who are close contacts of 

a person with COVID-19? If yes, are close contacts quarantined 

together as a cohort or in individual cells? How many persons can 

be isolated individually in the facility? 

Yes, close contacts quarantined individually

Yes, close contacts quarantined as a cohort

No, close contacts not quarantined

Guidance: Close contacts among incarcerated/detained persons should be 

quarantined for 14 days (ideally individually, to prevent further transmission). 

If cohorting quarantined close contacts, consider re-testing them every 3–7 

days, and immediately isolate any who test positive. Continue quarantine until no 

additional cases have been identified for 14 days after the last exposure. Consider 

testing at the end of the 14-day period and requiring a negative result before lifting 

quarantine precautions.

33) Does the facility restart the 14-day quarantine clock every time a 

new COVID-19 case is identified in a group of quarantined people 

housed together as a cohort? If no, why not?

Yes, facility restarts the 14-day quarantine clock every time a new 

case is identified in the cohort

No, facility does not restart the 14-day quarantine clock when new 

cases are identified

Guidance: If an individual who is part of a quarantine cohort tests positive for 

COVID-19 (or is symptomatic but is not tested), restart the 14-day quarantine clock 

for the remainder of the cohort. 
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Elements to discuss Notes

34) Do you have a plan to deal with a surge in cases (and close 

contacts) among incarcerated or detained persons that is more 

than the number of cases that you can currently isolate or 

quarantine? If yes, please describe the plan.

Yes, facility has a plan to deal with surge in cases

No, facility does not have a plan to deal with surge in cases

35) Do incarcerated/detained persons have access to onsite clinical 

staff? How frequently are clinical staff present at the facility?

Yes, clinical staff onsite

No, clinical staff not onsite

36) Do you have a plan to transfer ill persons to another facility or 

local hospital if care is required beyond what the facility can 

provide onsite? How will the staff involved in transfer/custody be 

managed if there is an exposure during transfer? 

Yes, plan for transfer of ill persons

No, no plan for transfer of ill persons

Guidance: A plan should be developed with state or local health departments to 

safely transport ill persons to another facility or local hospital if care cannot be 

provided onsite. The plan should include notifying the facility/hospital in advance. 

Follow CDC guidance on managing asymptomatic critical infrastructure staff who 

have been exposed to a person who has COVID-19.
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C. Social distancing and limiting contact

Elements to discuss Notes

37) What types of indoor common areas do you have in the facility? 

This refers to any indoor space where incarcerated/detained 

persons may spend time together for any purpose. 

Day rooms

Cafeteria

Library

Classrooms

Exercise rooms

Other (specify): 

No indoor common areas

Guidance: Increase space between individuals in common areas to the extent 

possible (e.g., stagger times in dining areas [clean between groups], use outdoor 

spaces when possible, remove alternate chairs, suspend group activities that involve 

people from different housing units or that bring people together in closer contact 

than they would be in their housing units). See guidance for additional social 

distancing examples.

38) Has access to indoor common areas been restricted since COVID-19 

management protocols began? If yes, please describe the 

restrictions. If no, please describe why not.

Yes, indoor common areas restricted

No, indoor common areas not restricted

Guidance: Increase space between individuals in common areas to the extent 

possible, including suspending group activities that would bring people in closer 

proximity than they would be in their housing units, or that bring people together 

from different housing units.

39) Do separate housing units mix with one another? If yes, under 

what circumstances, how long and how often?

No, housing units do not mix

Yes, outdoors only

Yes, indoors only

Yes, both outdoors and indoors

Guidance: Rearrange scheduled movements to minimize mixing of individuals from 

different housing areas. Rearrange essential work details so that they include only 

people from the same housing unit. 

40) Have you been able to incorporate any social distancing practices 

or other structural changes to increase physical distancing of at 

least 6 feet at the facility for incarcerated/detained persons and 

staff? If yes, please describe. 

Yes, social distancing practices incorporated

No, social distancing practices not incorporated

Guidance: See guidance for further social distancing examples for correctional and 

detention settings.
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Elements to discuss Notes

41) Have staff duty assignments been arranged so that the same 

staff are assigned to specific units over time? If not, what are the 

factors that make it challenging to do so? 

Guidance: Arrange staff duty assignments to ensure consistency, to minimize 

staff contact with multiple housing units and prevent transmission across units 

through staff contact. Where possible, staff assigned to an area where people with 

confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are medically isolated should only be assigned to 

that area/unit.

42) Can you describe how staff are assigned to units where people 

with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are medically isolated? Are 

the same staff assigned to these units across shifts? Do these staff 

also serve other units that are not designated for isolation 

or quarantine?

Staff consistently assigned only to isolation units

Staff consistently assigned to isolation units but serve other units 

as well

Staff not consistently assigned to isolation units

Guidance: CDC recommends that staff assigned to isolation spaces or quarantine 

spaces should remain as consistent as possible, and these staff should limit their 

movements to other parts of the facility as much as possible. If staff must serve 

multiple areas of the facility, ensure that they change PPE when leaving the isolation 

space. If PPE supplies require reuse, ensure that staff move only from areas of low to 

high exposure risk while wearing the same PPE to prevent cross-contamination. For 

example, start in a housing unit where no one is known to be infected, then move to 

a space used as quarantine for close contacts, and end in an isolation unit.

D. Release planning 

Elements to discuss Notes

43) If someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, or someone 

quarantined as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, is 

released before the end of their isolation or quarantine period, 

does the facility notify public health officials in advance? If no, 

why not?

Yes, public health is notified in advance

No, public health is not notified

Guidance: Local public health departments should be notified of any persons under 

medical isolation or quarantine precautions who are released to the community, so 

that linkages to community-based resources can be made before release (including 

housing placements with capacity to continue isolation/quarantine).
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Elements to discuss Notes

44) Do you currently have any early release policies in place? If yes, for 

whom and under what circumstances?

Yes, we have early release policies

No, we do not have early release policies 

Guidance: Consider options to reduce crowding and/or facilitate physical distancing 

(e.g., diverting new intakes to other facilities with available capacity, and 

encouraging alternatives to incarceration and other decompression strategies,

 where allowable).

45) For persons being released, are you able to test for COVID-19 and 

implement a 14-day release quarantine before release? If yes, 

what is the process? If no, why not?

Able to test for COVID-19 before release

Able to quarantine for 14 days before release

Unable to test or quarantine before release

Guidance: Consider testing and implementing a 14-day quarantine period for 

individuals preparing to release.

46) Do you provide any supplies (e.g., masks, hand sanitizer), 

guidance, or education for people being released on how to 

protect themselves and others from COVID-19 after release? If yes, 

what information do you provide? 

Yes, provide guidance/education

Yes, provide supplies

No, do not provide guidance/education or supplies

Guidance: Provide individuals about to be released from custody with COVID-19 

prevention information, hand hygiene supplies, and face masks.

Link individuals who need medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder to 

substance use, harm reduction, and/or recovery support systems. If the surrounding 

community is under movement restrictions due to COVID-19, ensure that referrals 

direct releasing individuals to programs that are continuing operations.

Link individuals being released to Medicaid enrollment and healthcare resources, 

including continuity of care for chronic conditions that may place an individual at 

increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Any other concerns, questions, or items to discuss regarding screening and monitoring of incarcerated or detained staff?

List any next steps for follow up.
15

Section 6: Environmental Cleaning, Hygiene and Supplies

Next, I’d like to hear more about how you clean your facility and your access to personal protective equipment, or PPE, you are using 

and its availability. 

Elements to discuss Notes

47) Can you tell me about how the facility is cleaned and disinfected, 

particularly any areas where people with confirmed or suspected 

COVID-19 spend time? How have staff or incarcerated/detained 

persons been trained on cleaning procedures and disinfectant 

products?

Select all that apply.

Facility is cleaned/disinfected as recommended

Facility is not cleaned/disinfected as recommended

Training is provided for all individuals performing cleaning and 

disinfecting procedures

Training is not provided 

Guidance: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily and shared 

objects between use using an EPA-List N registered disinfectant. Provide training on 

the safe use of these infectants and recommended PPE to all staff and incarcerated/

detained persons using cleaning and disinfection products, according to the product 

label. Consider populations who may be sensitive to disinfectants (e.g., pregnant 

women, people with asthma, etc.). Special considerations should be made for 

people with asthma as they should not be present when cleaning and disinfecting is 

happening as this can trigger asthma exacerbations. 

48) Can you tell me how, and how often, your facility distributes 

or supplies soap to incarcerated or detained persons? To what 

extent do incarcerated or detained persons have access to running 

water to wash their hands? Have you had challenges in providing 

enough soap or access to water to incarcerated or detained 

persons?

Guidance: Provide free and unlimited access to soap. Provide liquid soap where 

possible; if bar soap must be used, ensure that it does not irritate the skin, as this 

would discourage frequent hand washing. Also, provide access to running water and 

hand drying machines or disposable paper towels for hand washing, tissues, and 

no-touch trash receptacles for disposal. 

49) Is alcohol-based hand sanitizer permitted for staff or 

incarcerated/detained persons? If so, where is it used and how is 

it distributed?

Staff only

Staff and incarcerated/detained persons

Neither staff nor incarcerated/detained persons

Guidance: Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol where 

permissible based on security restrictions if soap and water are not readily available. 

Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer at the entrances and exits of buildings, and in 

PPE donning/doffing stations.
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Elements to discuss Notes

50) Where and when are staff in your facility wearing PPE for 

COVID-19, and what PPE are they wearing? What about PPE for 

incarcerated/detained persons where it is recommended?

Guidance: See table for recommended PPE for incarcerated/detained persons 

and staff with varying levels of contact with persons with COVID-19 or their 

close contacts. 

51) How and when are face masks used in the facility by staff and 

incarcerated/detained persons? Is universal masking required and 

enforced?

Guidance: Staff and incarcerated/detained persons should be provided with face 

masks at no cost. Provide enough masks to incarcerated/detained persons so that 

they can wear a clean mask each day. Staff and incarcerated/detained persons 

should wear face masks as much as possible when social distancing is not feasible 

(unless contraindicated), as source control.

52) Have you had challenges accessing sufficient PPE supplies? Do you 

have plans to conserve or acquire more? Have you had difficulties 

in obtaining PPE? If yes, which PPE? 

Yes, challenges in accessing sufficient PPE

No challenges accessing sufficient PPE

Guidance: For assistance to plan and optimize the use of PPE, visit CDC’s PPE burn rate 

calculator: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/burncalculator.html See guidance on extended use of all PPE categories when supplies 

are restricted.

53) Have you posted signs throughout the facility and communicated 

with both staff and incarcerated/detained persons on how to 

protect themselves and others from COVID-19? How else do you 

provide information on health messages related to COVID-19? 

Are the materials available in multiple languages? 

Guidance: Use health messages and materials developed by credible public health 

sources, such as local and state public health departments or the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC). Post signs at strategic places providing instruction on 

hand washing, use of face masks, and social distancing. Sample signage and other 

communications materials are available. Consider making materials available in 

other languages and in accessible formats for people with vision, hearing, cognitive, 

and learning disabilities.

Any other concerns, questions, or items to discuss regarding hygiene or supplies?

List any next steps for follow up.
17

Section 7: Flu vaccination

Lastly, I would like to talk to you about your plans for flu vaccination. 

Elements to discuss Notes

54) Do you have plans to provide flu vaccination free of charge for 

staff this season? If no, do you plan to promote flu vaccinations to 

your staff this season? 

Yes, already offered or plans to offer flu vaccination

No plans to offer flu vaccination

No plans to offer flu vaccination, but do plan to encourage staff to 

seek vaccination from their healthcare providers

No plans offer or promote flu vaccination

Guidance: The facility should offer the seasonal influenza vaccine to all staff 

throughout the influenza season. Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of 

influenza. Preventing influenza in a facility can speed the detection of COVID-19 and 

reduce pressure on healthcare resources. Further guidance on providing workplace 

influenza vaccination can be found here. 

55) Do you have plans to provide flu vaccination free of charge to 

incarcerated/detained persons at your facility this season? If no, 

why not?

Yes, already offered or plans to offer flu vaccination

No plans to offer flu vaccination

Guidance: The facility should offer the seasonal influenza vaccine to all incarcerated/

detained persons (existing population and new intakes) throughout the influenza 

season. Symptoms of COVID-19are similar to those of influenza. Preventing 

influenza in a facility can speed the detection of COVID-19 and reduce pressure on 

healthcare resources.

Summary

Questions raised through conversation

Areas for improvement in alignment with guidance

Further guidance or information needs
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Next steps (including by whom and when)

Are you willing to share these interview responses with CDC to help improve COVID-19 guidance for correctional and detention facilities? 

No names from individual agencies or facilities will be used in any reports. 

Yes No

Resources

Would you like me to send you any of the following resources?

Interim Guidance on Management of COVID-19 in Correction and Detention Facilities

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

Interim Considerations for SARS-COV2 Testing in Correctional and Detention Facilities

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/testing.html

Frequently Asked Questions for Correctional and Detention Facilities

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/faq.html

Frequently Asked Questions for Law Enforcement Agencies and Personnel

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/law-enforcement-agencies-faq.html