Alva Review-Courier -

Bill Johnson Correctional Center (BJCC) in Alva is no longer considered a hot spot for COVID-19 by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC). That status was removed on Sept. 28.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, the ODOC website showed only two positive cases among BJCC inmates with 56 recovered. Three staff members are listed as active with four recovered. BJCC continues to follow all recommendations provided by the state health department.

According to Warden Becky Guffy in a report to Citizens Advisory Committee members, all meal service, classes, religious services, canteen, medical, recreation time, etc. remain separated by units to lessen the chances of exposure. All inmates are expected to wear masks when out of their bunks and are offered hand sanitizer throughout the day. Each inmate has been issued four cloth masks and is offered two disposable masks each week. An individual bar of hand soap is distributed every other week to encourage hand washing.

Guffy said every inmate who discharges from BJCC is COVID tested as least one week prior to release. This presents a particular challenge for those who do not have housing, and BJCC re-entry efforts have taken on a new level of importance as not all places will accept them. “We have created some new partnerships that I think will only grow going forward,” she stated.

Every employee, vendor or visitor who enters the front door of BJCC must wear a mask, fill out a health screening form, and have their temperature read by the new automated facial recognition screening equipment. Two portable fogging machines are used throughout the day and night in all areas to deter the virus.

“Our staff continues to amaze me and to be extremely creative in the ways they have maintained treatment and education classes,” Guffy said. “We are encouraging the courts every day to use video hearings to lessen contacts and to also save state funds on transports.

“I hope this helps ease any concerns about our daily efforts and assures you that all of us at Bill Johnson Correctional Center are working very hard to ensure the safety of our staff, the inmates, and the public. It has been a learning experience and continues to be a challenge every day.”

Current ODOC Hot Spots

According to the ODOC website, only two prisons in the state are now considered hot spots. Those are Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy and North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre.

William S. Key Correctional Center at Ft. Supply in Woodward County is no longer on the hot spot list. On Thursday, they listed four positive cases among inmates with 895 recovered and two deaths. They have three staff members currently positive with 16 recovered.

James Crabtree Correctional Center at Helena in Alfalfa County has no positive cases among inmates or staff with four inmates considered recovered.