IONIA, Mich. — An outbreak of gastroenteritis has been reported at one of Ionia’s five prisons.
Tuesday afternoon the Michigan Department of Corrections issued a notice to families with prisoners at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility (pictured), a Level II prison located at 1728 Bluewater Highway in Ionia. The warning reported “a small outbreak of gastroenteritis” at the correctional facility.
Another notice said “the facility will remain open for visits so long as the prisoner does not show signs or symptoms of GI illness.”
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Also known as stomach flu, its symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.
MDOC spokesman Chris Gautz told FOX 17 NEWS that 14 inmates and two staff members have come down with gastroenteritis, and that prison officials are “limiting movements and cleaning with bleach.”
“We have standard protocols in place for things like this,” he said. “Those procedures have been activated.”
