All state prisons on lockdown after staffers repeatedly fall ill

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said all state correctional institutions are locked down indefinitely after more than two dozen staff members fell ill to unknown substances over the past month.

In addition to the lockdown, all DOC mailrooms will be closed to nonlegal mail until further notice, all DOC personnel must use protective equipment, training will take place at all facilities and all visits are suspended until the lockdown is lifted.

“The safety and security of our employees is my No. 1 concern,” Wetzel said.

“Our state prisons, especially those in the western part of the state, have experienced recent incidents in which employees have been sickened and we need to get to the bottom of this issue now.”

Gov. Tom Wolf called Wednesday's decision a necessary step.

"Today’s action to lock down all of the state’s correctional facilities is a necessary step to ensure the safety of our officers and provide the department the opportunity to assess and control the situation," said Wolf.

The statewide lockdown comes on the same day two corrections officers were reported ill after transferring an inmate at SCI Somerset and five staffers at SCI Albion were all also fell ill, according to WICU.

In Ohio, 20 correction officers fell ill at Ross Correctional Institution.

Over the past month, more than two dozen correction officers and employees have fallen ill due to "unknown substances" with most of the prisons in Western Pennsylvania.

On Monday, Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association President Jason Bloom heard from officials that the substances could be carfentanil or K2.

Last week, state Rep. Cris Dush called for drastic changes at the Department of Corrections in the wake of drugs being found at the facilities.

In statement Wednesday Dush praised the DOC's decision to lockdown all facilities, but is hopeful they take as much time as necessary to make sure each facility is safe.

"Searches take time and a lot of effort. Let staff take the time to do it right. Do not rush them through for the sake of getting things back-to-normal," said Dush.

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