Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Response in Correctional and Detention Facilities

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected persons held in and working in correctional and detention facilities, causing facilities’ traditional priorities to shift when healthcare and public health needs temporarily drove many aspects of operations. During July–August 2022, we interviewed members of health departments and criminal justice organizations to document lessons learned from the COVID-19 response in correctional settings. Participants valued enhanced partnerships, flexibility, and innovation, as well as real-time data and corrections-specific public health guidance. Challenges included cross-sector collaborations, population density, scarcity of equipment and supplies, and mental health. Most participants reported improved relationships between criminal justice and public health organizations during the pandemic. Lessons from COVID-19 can be applied to everyday public health preparedness and emergency response in correctional facilities by ensuring representation of correctional health in public health strategy and practice and providing timely, data-driven, and partner-informed guidance tailored to correctional environments when public health needs arise.