PRESS RELEASE: Fourth COVID-19 Related Incarcerated Death at Stafford Creek

Released January 21, 2021

Contact DOC COVID-19 Media Inquiries (email), (425) 754-4939

Department of Corrections

TUMWATER – On January 21, 2021, an individual incarcerated at Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, Wash., passed away at a community healthcare facility due to COVID-19. The individual’s next of kin and/or attorney has been provided notification of the individual’s passing.

The Washington State Department of Corrections offers its condolences to the family and friends of the decedent and remains committed to continue science-based health practices and following the established COVID-19 screening, testing and infection control guidelines (pdf) as the department works to contain and mitigate any spread of the virus.

As a result of the growing number of COVID-19 positive cases and the associated quarantined cases that go with them, on December 5, 2020 the facility initiated restricted movement due to COVID-19 (pdf), to limit the potential exposure of COVID-19 to the institution’s incarcerated population.

As of January 20, Stafford Creek Corrections Center has had 353 COVID-19 cases in the last 30 days among the incarcerated population. As of December 31, 2020, Stafford Creek Corrections Center has a total capacity for 1,942 individuals and a current population of 1,830.

Today’s death represents the tenth COVID-related death of an incarcerated individual in the custody of the Washington State Department of Corrections. The department houses approximately 15,000 incarcerated individuals in its system. Additionally, two Washington State correctional officers have died of COVID-19.

The health and safety of staff and those sentenced to the department’s custody remains the department’s top priority. The department remains committed to mitigating, containing and ceasing any spread of COVID-19.