Maryland Prisons Close To Visitors After PA, Ohio Lockdowns

MARYLAND — Prisons in Maryland have suspended visitation until further notice, officials said Thursday. The move is one of several measures state public safety and corrections officials say they are taking after emergencies in prisons in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

In those states, various people associated with prisons have been sickened recently by unknown substances. Authorities suspect opioid exposure was related to the illnesses in both states.

In Maryland prisons, mail will not be opened, visits will not be permitted and staff members are encouraged to use "protective equipment," officials said.

"Visits at ALL DPSCS Institutions statewide have been temporarily suspended," the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) reported on its website Thursday.

Officials say they hope to lift the precautionary measures at Maryland correctional facilities by the weekend.

The steps taken in Maryland were announced the day after 28 people — including corrections officers, nurses and an inmate — felt nauseated at Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe, Ohio, and were hospitalized for potential fentanyl exposure.

All of Pennsylvania's state prisons were also locked down indefinitely Wednesday due to a sudden and mysterious rash of illnesses among employees. At least 30 prison staff members in that state fell ill due to "unknown substances" in recent weeks, the corrections officials said, suggesting the illnesses were related to opioid poisoning or other illegal substances.

There have not been any similar cases reported in Maryland facilities, officials say, noting the changes made were precautionary in nature.

"We are taking precautions to ensure the safety and security of our employees and inmates," Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services said in a statement.

Patch editor Daniel Hampton contributed.

RELATED:

• 29 Ohio Prison Guards, Inmates, Nurses Treated For Possible Fentanyl
• All PA State Prisons Locked Down Due To Mysterious Illnesses: DOC

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