MISSION, Kan. (AP) — The number of inmates infected with the coronavirus at Kansas’ largest prison has grown to more than 550 amid widespread testing at the facility, with most showing no symptoms.
The Kansas Department of Corrections plans to finish testing all the more than 1,700 inmates at the state’s largest prison in Lansing this week. As the test results trickle in, Leavenworth County, where the prison is located, reported a 13.8% increase in positive cases Monday.
Most are tied to the prison, where 551 inmates and 88 staff members are infected. Rebecca Witte, the corrections department spokeswoman, said three inmates have died, four are hospitalized and 469 aren’t showing symptoms.
Sarah LaFrenz, president of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, which represents Lansing workers, said staff also are anxious for widespread testing. She said guards are currently being told they can go to work while not outwardly sick.
“From a scientific standpoint that doesn’t seem very wise,” she said.
Gov. Laura Kelly has been facing pressure and a lawsuit demanding that she free some inmates to allow for better social distancing. But amid the growing number of positive cases, she halted an effort l ast week to release some inmates who were close to finishing their sentences after just six of them — none of whom were from Lansing — went home.
A letter Monday from officials with the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Kansas Board of Indigents’ Defense Services, the Federal Public Defender’s Kansas District and the Midwest Innocence Project condemned her action, saying she has “increased the severity of incarceration for those who pose no public safety risk.”
Another seven staff and six inmates also are infected at six other correctional facilities. To deal with the risk of infections, movement within the state’s prisons is restricted and in-person visitors aren’t permitted.
Statewide, confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas rose Tuesday by 213, up to 5,458 total, though the actual number is thought to be higher because of limited testing and because people can be infected without showing symptoms. Reported COVID-19-related deaths increased by one to 137.
