PKG: Prison outbreak

Lee county prison have covid-19 right now according to the state.

Abc 36's monica harkins talked to one family who says they're worried for their son's health.

## coronavirus knows no bounds...including prison cells...where physical bars are no match for the virus.

"cornetta: i am worried.

I know he needs to do his time, but i don't want him to die over no coronavirus."

Cornetta and her husband james have a son at lee adjustment center in beatyville.

As of monday...the prison has 94 inmates and 9 staff members who actively have covid-19...according to the department of corrections.

The prison's parent company says 13 staff members actively have the virus.

"my son is a healthy young man, but healthy young men have died."

They say they don't know yet if he has coronavirus...but they do know he's been experiencing symptoms. " he's been having the cough, aching all over, the sore throat, he's been hurtin' really, you know his whole body."

The prison is privately owned and i reached out to the public affairs director who told me anyone with symptoms is immediately removed from the general population..tested... and the housing pod also goes into quarantine...but it's enough to make a mother nervous.

"i want them to treat my son as if it was their son" this family says they just want their son... and any other inmate feeling sick... to receive the care they need...despite any stigma they might face for being behind bars.

"it's like because you in prison you don't matter.

But you do matter.

You're somebody's son, somebody's cousin, somebody's uncle, you're somebody's brother.

It does matter."

Monica harkins, abc 36 news.

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