HCCC COVID-19 Outbreak Grows to 112 Cases

Nearly 100 inmates at Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center (HCCC) have now tested positive for COVID-19, officials announced Thursday, June 3. Additionally, a total of 13 cases were counted among jail staff.

The State Department of Public Safety (PSD) has conducted mass testing for the virus since the initial outbreak began on May 24. In the latest testing clinic, 84 inmates were tested, and of that number, 22 were positive and 62 were negative. This brings the prisoner case count to 99.

HCCC staff is also being tested regularly. Most recently, two out of 47 employees tested positive for the virus.

HCCC enacted its pandemic protocol last week, which included a facility-wide quarantine of all inmate housing and suspending inmate movement within the facility and transports going out of the facility. The facility is in constant contact with the courts to notify them of the status.

Ongoing testing is being implemented by HCCC health care staff, with the assistance of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Hawaii National Guard. Hawaii Correctional Industries sanitized and deep-cleaned all common areas in the facility.

PSD continues to encourage all staff and inmates to voluntarily get tested and receive the COVID vaccination.

“Vaccinations are a critical part of the Department of Public Safety’s efforts to mitigate spread of the virus among employees as well as the inmate population,” said Max Otani, PSD Director. “The constant intake and release of pre-trial detainees in the jails make it difficult for PSD to fully vaccinate this population, but facility health care staff and DOH are working hard to educate inmates on the safety of the vaccine.”

PSD health staff and DOH teams regularly provide information to staff and inmates on vaccination opportunities and make themselves available in the facilities to answer questions.

“We encourage all staff and those in our custody and care to voluntarily test and receive the vaccines made available, free of charge. If not for themselves, for their loved ones. By getting vaccinated, we are all doing our part to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our communities and correctional facilities,” said Tommy Johnson, Deputy Director for Corrections.

COVID-19 testing is continuously being conducted statewide at all facilities. The inmate test results received at other facilities are as follows:

• O‘ahu Community Correctional Center – seven negative inmate test results
• Women’s Community Correctional Center – one negative inmate test result

For more information on PSD’s planning and response to COVID-19, inmate testing data, and information detailing the efforts made to safeguard the inmates, staff, and public, visit the PSD webpage.