FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Written by COVID-19 NEWS on January 25, 2021
You may have received a COVID-19 test in prison or jail. If you test negative, you probably were not infected at the time they took your sample. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. Also, you may have been exposed to COVID-19 between the time you were last tested and the time you got out. So, you should stay away from others (quarantine) as much as you can for 14 days after release to protect yourself and others. Visit Test for current infection.
If you get sick with COVID-19 during the 14 days you are staying away from others, ask for a COVID-19 test. If you do not have a doctor, contact a health center or health department. See how under the next question: “After I get out of prison or jail, where can I get help during the COVID-19 pandemic?”
Symptoms of COVID-19 include
| Fever/chills
Cough Feeling tired Having a hard time breathing Pain in the head or body |
Loss of taste or smell
Sore throat Stuffy or runny nose Nausea/vomiting Diarrhea |
During quarantine it is best to stay alone in a private living space, if you can, to avoid contact with other people. Ideally, your space should include your own bedroom and bathroom. Before you are released, contact friends or family to find a place to stay. If you cannot find space with family or friends, find homeless shelters in the area.
If you can find housing before you are released, set up a space with clothing, food, medicine, cleaning supplies, and any other items you may need while in quarantine. Get things that will help protect you and others from getting COVID-19 once you are released. Items include face masks, hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels, or a cloth towel that only you use or that you change often. Visit COVID-19 prevention link to learn more about how to protect yourself and others.
You may also need other items to help you get health and social services once you get out. Before release, ask a prison or jail worker about how to get these things upon release:
- Prison ID card, or birth certificate or social security card
- Small supply of your medicines
- Copy of your medical records
- If you can, ask a doctor or nurse; if there is not a doctor or nurse, ask a prison or jail worker.
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