In November of 2012, eight inmates of an Arizona state prison complex fell ill with botulism that was thought to be acquired from homemade alcohol brewed in prison cells. Now, a report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sheds light on what caused this outbreak and what is being done to prevent… Continue Reading
At least 140 inmates at an Illinois prison were sickened with Norovirus infections this week, according to local news reports. The outbreak struck inmates at the The Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, IL, a maximum security facility for men. The first victims fell ill Christmas Day, according to local news station CBS 2. “The Department… Continue Reading
Seven inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex Eymen were hospitalized with symptoms of botulism this weekend, announced the Pinal County Health Department Monday. Homemade alcohol, or prison “hooch,” is the suspected source of the illnesses. Five of the prisoners fell ill on Saturday, according to the health department, and two more began exhibiting symptoms… Continue Reading
What appears to be an outbreak of E. coli at the Saginaw Correctional Facility has left 89 inmates and seven prison guards sickened. Most fell ill between Auguse 27 and 30. No prisoner or guard has experienced an onset of illness since the Labor Day Weekend, causing officials to think the worst is over. Four… Continue Reading
The Salmonella outbreak at Arkansas Prison’s 96-year-old Tucker Unit was more complex than most, according to health officials. The outbreak, involving almost 600 prisoners and staff, was due to at least 6 different serotypes of Salmonella, including S. Anatum, S. Cerro, S. Newport, S. Mbandaka, S. Heidelberg and S. Braenderup. In addition, the Anatum, Newport… Continue Reading
Arkansas health officials now think it was something in the chicken salad made almost half the inmates ill at the historic Tucker prison. Chicken salad recipes are often highly personalized, but among the typical ingredients are: chicken, celery, scallions or sweet onions, fresh tarragon or fresh dill, parsley, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, kosher salt… Continue Reading
Health department officials Tuesday were all over the maximum security Arkansas prison now known simply as the “Tucker Unit” as almost half its inmates are down with mystery gastrointestinal illnesses. What’s causing the illnesses at the Tucker Unit, with a capacity of 796 prisoners, still was not known with suspect list including both foodborne illnesses… Continue Reading
About 250 inmates being held at the Kent County Jail in Grand Rapids, MI suffering with food poisoning symptoms since Sunday still do not know for certain what ails them. None required hospitalization and all are said to be recovering. The illnesses among the inmates began on Sunday, when Undersheriff Jon Hess says the jail… Continue Reading
A dozen inmates at the Utah State Prison are being treated for potentially deadly botulism after drinking alcohol made in a jail cell, state health officials say. Eight of the 12 prisoners, including three who are in critical condition, are being treated at a hospital near the state prison at Draper, UT, about 20 miles… Continue Reading