Pendleton Crisis: Legionairres Outbreak Kills Prisoner, Infects More

On December 1st the Indiana Department of Correction confirmed an outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease at the Pendleton Correctional Facility in Pendleton, IN. As of December 6th, one prisoner has been confirmed to have died and at least five others infected.

Legionnaire’s Disease is caused by infection with the Legionella bacteria which finds its way into the lungs through aerosolized water droplets. The exact site of contamination in the prison remains unknown and the Indiana Department of Health and Center for Disease Control are currently investigating.

The IDOC has been less than forthcoming with information about the outbreak. Countless people with loved ones at Pendleton have had little success in getting the IDOC to respond to concerns over safety and prevention at the facility. The IDOC claims that filters have been placed on shower heads to prevent aerosolizing of the bacteria. However, these measures do not account for potentially contaminated water droplets being spread through the use of water faucets and toilet flushing. No indication has been given as to what the plan will be for these vectors of infection.

Concerningly, IDOC Watch is aware of reports from inside the prison that as early as September 28th, inmates were alerted to a problem with water quality but were told that the risk was minimal. However, inmates reported that CO’s began drinking bottled water at that time, while bottled water was not made available to the inmates.

At this point it is unclear when the IDOC was aware of the problem or how large the outbreak currently is. What is known is that safety measures at this time are wholly insufficient.

We are demanding more information from the IDOC and state of Indiana. We are requesting that supporters call:

IDOC Commissioner Robert Carter

(317) 232-5711

Governor Eric Holcomb

(317)232-4567

Indiana Department of Health

(317)233-1325

Please share your concerns with these agencies and demand information on the current state of the outbreak and safety measure being taken.

We would appreciate if people share whatever information they have to idocwatch@riseup.net or fill out the contact form on idocwatch.org.