Yuma Prison Complex correctional officers get better COVID-19 testing

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR) announce COVID-19 testing at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Yuma for its correctional officers and prison employees.

The ADCRR says this testing is part of Governor Doug Ducey's plan to expand testing sites across Arizona.

The testing of CO's and prison staff members began on Tuesday, May 26, and ends today. The tests consist of a PCR swab test at an onsite mobile testing process at the Yuma complex.

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Regional Center for Border Health (RCBH) is conducting the tests.

The testing site is convenient for the CO's and prison workers because they no longer have to travel off-site to other testing locations.

The ADCRR says that 1,200 staff members, including 890 correctional officers and contract employees at the Yuma Prison Complex are able to participate.

Senator Lisa Otondo thanks RCBH for this partnership:

“I’m thrilled that LD4 Democrats were able to collaborate with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Director Shinn and the Regional Center for Border Health to bring 1,000 COVID Tests to Yuma Prison. Amanda Aguirre and her staff stepped up and stepped forward to help. Words are not enough to describe how deeply grateful I am to Amanda and her staff for the life-saving work they are doing in Arizona.”

As CO'S finally receive the much needed testing, inmates in the prison with the coronavirus claim to be worried about the spread of the virus.