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Abstract Submission

Risk Liability and Legal Issues

Pandemic Response Planning in US Jails: A Lesson in Collaboration

Tuesday, May 21, 2024
2:15 PM – 3:45 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Grand Ballroom C
Description: During the COVID-19 pandemic, local jails and detention facilities had to improvise to address the risks to their detained population and staff. For many, the Pandemic Plans were either missing at the facility level or the versions that were developed for previous health emergencies, such as H1N1, were inadequate for handling the unique challenges faced during COVID-19. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) through the COVID-19 Detection and Mitigation in Confinement Facilities (CDMCF) Training and Technical Assistance Center has recently worked with four confinement facilities to review and update their Pandemic Plans, incorporating their best practices from the COVID-19 response.
Join the BJA and guests in their lessons learned overview of working with confinement facilities and highlight of how a local jail engaged its state emergency management agency during COVID with great success. They will also present a new template for an infectious disease plan for confinement facilities.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explore how local jails and detention facilities fit within the emergency management structure in a city, county, or state through a case study on a local jail’s efforts during COVID-19.
  • Learn why confinement facility pandemic plans (for 2020-2022) were inadequate for managing COVID-19. Discuss gaps in resources available to plan for, respond to, and recover from a public health emergency.
  • Review the new Pandemic Plan templates recommended by BJA for future pandemics and future viral threats.
  • Discuss how public health, emergency management, and confinement facilities can better collaborate today to prepare and ensure continuity of operations during a public health emergency.
  • Explore culture change within local jails and detention facilities to encourage collaboration and coordination with emergency management organizations during a future public health emergency.