Arizona's prisons director has barred correctional officers from wearing masks and other protective gear to prevent coronavirus infections, according to a whistleblower complaint being reviewed by the Governor's Office.

Lewis prison Lt. Mark Hasz claims state Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry Director David Shinn has prohibited officers from using protective equipment at work because he believes it would frighten prisoners.

"Understand that while the rest of the country is engaged in social distancing, (corrections) employees, as part of their job, must come into close personal contact with hundreds of inmates on a daily basis," Hasz wrote in the March 26 complaint, addressed to Gov. Doug Ducey and Department of Health Services Director Cara Christ.

"Because of the nature of prisons (no social distancing whatsoever!), once the coronavirus enters the prison system, it will spread quickly, infecting inmates and staff throughout the state."

Indeed, public health experts throughout the U.S. have warned of possible outbreaks in "petri dish"-like jails and prisons, since the illness can spread quickly in enclosed spaces and among people with chronic health problems.

They, along with defense lawyers and some prosecutors, have argued efforts to "contain the spread of the disease are moving too slowly in the face of a contagion that has so far infected at least 156,000 people in the United States," the New York Times reported Monday.

As of Tuesday, Arizona had nearly 1,300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 — believed to be a significant undercount, given limited testing — and at least 24 deaths. Christ has said she expects illnesses to peak in a few weeks, with hospitalizations peaking in May.

"(The department) and Director Shinn are mishandling the coronavirus response and putting the health and lives of corrections officers, inmates and the public in unnecessary danger," Hasz wrote.

'Shortsighted and dangerous'

According to the complaint, first obtained by ABC15, officers asked the department for personal protective equipment before buying it themselves.

But officials, who've said national "PPE" shortages mean they must prioritize sick individuals and medical professionals, refused to give officers any of the gear they had in storage, Hasz said.

When officers got their own masks, supervisors stopped them from wearing them on-site, the complaint says.

"This direction seemed so shortsighted and dangerous that I could not believe that it came from Director Shinn," Hasz wrote.

But when Hasz asked about it during a coronavirus town hall, he wrote, "Director Shinn confirmed that he had given the order forbidding staff from bringing in and wearing their own PPE … because he believed that masked officers would scare the inmates."

"I was shocked at the response," Hasz wrote. "This reasoning is ridiculous."

Neither the Health Services nor Corrections department responded to The Arizona Republic's questions about the complaint Tuesday. On Wednesday, corrections officials published a "COVID-19 management strategy update" that said the agency did not want to use up protective equipment "unnecessarily."

When officials outlined steps the department was taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 earlier this month, PPE procedures focused on those who interact with people infected or possibly infected with COVID-19.

They did not recommend widespread use of protective gear.

"Staff are to wear Personal Protective Equipment (N-95 mask, eye shield, gown and gloves) when escorting or transporting or entering the room of a person suspected of COVID-19 infection," the guidelines said. "Recognize that droplets can remain active on surfaces and clothing for several hours."

Other preventive measures include waiving health care fees for prisoners, providing them with soap at no cost, halting visitation and checking staff for signs of COVID-19 before they enter facilities, according to the department.

Mask debate ongoing

The complaint did not say how broadly Shinn's directive was being applied — that is, if it affects all officers or only some.

Correctional facility guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clearly urge prison staff to use of protective equipment when performing temperature checks, providing medical care or transporting someone with COVID-19.

Recommendations for staff who interact with people who've been exposed to COVID-19 but aren't showing symptoms are slightly looser: Use "face mask(s), eye protection, and gloves as local supply and scope of duties allow," the guidelines say.

And while the CDC to date has resisted encouraging the general public to wear masks, particularly medical-grade ones, officials are reportedly reconsidering guidance on simpler face coverings.

Employers including the postal service and certain grocery have started letting employees wear masks and gloves.

Asked to comment on the whistleblower complaint Tuesday, Ducey spokesman Patrick Ptak said it was still under review.

"The health and safety of all our citizens is our top focus right now," Ptak said via email. "We will continue to work closely with the Department of Health Services to ensure guidance from public health officials is being implemented across our administration."

Reach the reporter at maria.polletta@arizonarepublic.com or 602-653-6807. Follow her on Twitter @mpolletta.

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