SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is implementing additional precautions to protect staff and inmates at the state's institutions.

CDCR's plan includes the following:

• expediting the transitions to parole for eligible inmates
• making more use of the states private and public Community Correctional Facilities

These new measures build on many others already taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to all who work and live in the state prison system.

Those measures include:

• Mandatory verbal and temperature screenings for staff
• Suspension of intake from county jails
• Suspension of visitations
• No access by volunteers and rehabilitation program providers
• Increased physical distancing
• Commitment to increased hygienic practices
• Comprehensive health care guidelines

As of March 30, 22 employees and four inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Check here for updated information.