Former inmate, DOC give differing accounts on COVID-19 infection

An inmate released early from the Monroe Correctional Complex to free up more space for social distancing has tested positive for COVID-19 in Cowlitz County.

The former inmate told Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Meyer that he showed symptoms of the disease before his release and the state Department of Corrections was aware, but did not test him.

However, DOC officials said Friday the man was not tested because when he was screened shortly before his release, he did not have a fever and denied having any symptoms.

The differing accounts highlight the thorny public health issues swirling around Gov. Jay Inslee’s plan for early release of about 1,100 state prison inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes and within eight months of their release date. A big part of the debate over that plan is whether DOC is testing enough inmates.

The account of the former Monroe prison inmate has prompted Meyer to ask all inmates released early into Lewis County to get examined for COVID-19.

“There are about 75,000 people who live in Lewis County and I don’t want any of them getting sick. I especially don’t want any of them getting sick because an inmate got released who had COVID,” Meyer said.

Meyer said the former inmate was released from the Monroe prison last Sunday and tested positive the same day at a Cowlitz County hospital. Meyer said he interviewed the former inmate a few days after his release, prompted by a phone call from a concerned citizen. The county prosecuting attorney said he would not release the man’s name without his permission.

The former inmate was housed in the Monroe prison’s Minimum Security Unit, where 12 inmates and seven staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.

Meyer said the former inmate told him he was exposed to other inmates under quarantine “for hours” after the April 8 disturbance in the Minimum Security Unit. Inmates said an “us versus them” attitude between the staff and inmates over the response to the COVID-19 outbreak was the primary cause of the disturbance.

“He said they were all zip-tied or handcuffed in a gym,” Meyer said in an interview Friday. “There were about 300 (inmates) and they were sitting right next to each other. He also indicated he pointed it out to a sergeant, he thinks, and the sergeant basically said ‘Tough,’ “ Meyer said.

Meyer said the former inmate — who was in quarantine for four or five days before his release — told him he had symptoms including chills, a sore throat, respiratory problems and a headache. He said he let staff know, but no testing was provided. The former inmate did not indicate whether he told one staff member or more than one, Meyer said.

The former inmate told Meyer he was transported in a van last Sunday from the Monroe prison to Seattle with another inmate, who then transferred to another vehicle to Wenatchee. A second inmate entered the van in Seattle who was transported to Clark County.

The former inmate was transported to Cowlitz County.

Meyer said the former inmate told him he had a shared living arrangement in Cowlitz County, but was turned away after he insisted on being tested for COVID-19.

“The individual then walked to the local hospital and was tested,” Meyer said in a written statement he released Thursday. “The results confirmed he was positive for COVID-19. The individual is isolated and the health agency of the county where he is located is aware of the positive test result.”

Reached for comment, DOC spokesman Jeremy Barclay said the inmate was screened at the time he was placed on transport and had been screened by medical professionals within an hour before that.

“Screening includes both health questions about symptoms and a temperature check. During screening, he did not have a fever and denied having any symptoms. He therefore was not tested for COVID-19,” Barclay said.

“The Department of Corrections continues to conduct due diligence on protecting public health when releasing an individual or transferring an individual to the community, and hopes that those releasing from a facility also wish to protect their own health and those in their community by accurately reporting symptoms,” he added.

DOC instructs a previously quarantined inmate to complete a 14-day quarantine at their residence and the prison system provides the inmate with a protective mask, Barclay said.

Kalama Police Chief Rafael “Ralph” Herrera, spokesman for the Cowlitz County incident management team, said the former inmate gave an account of events to the county health department that was consistent with what he told Meyer. Herrera said DOC officials told him they’re following every protocol in properly screening inmates who are released early.

The former inmate is being housed in a facility that was set up for those who can’t self-isolate safely, Herrera said.

This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 5:45 AM with the headline "Former inmate, DOC give differing accounts on COVID-19 infection."