Federal prison officers file action over lack of personal protective gear

Correctional officers at the federal women's prison in Tallahassee have filed a complaint about the lack of masks and other personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic, reported the Tallahassee Democrat. 

The officers filed what's called an "Imminent Danger Report" with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency that enforces workplace safety. 

The April 14 complaint says actions by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons are proliferating the spread of the potentially deadly contagion. 

One officer at the minimum-security prison, at the corner of Capital Circle and Conner Boulevard, has tested positive for the coronavirus and three others are quarantined. Also, one inmate is awaiting test results as of Friday evening. 

Weeks of requests from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a labor union, for a supply of protective equipment like masks and gloves boiled over when officers were supplied with what they call counterfeit N95 masks. 

To read more CLICK HERE