Corrections center fined for COVID protection failures

The Department of Labor & Industries issued citations and a $60,000 fine to the Washington state Department of Corrections for failing to enforce COVID-19 social distancing and mask procedures for employees at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen. 

The citation stems from an L&I inspection following the death of a correctional officer who tested positive for COVID-19 in June 2021. While the inspection was ongoing, a second employee tested positive in mid-July and died a month later. A worker at the same facility died of COVID-19 in December 2020, the agency said. 

L&I’s investigation found that the Department of Corrections staff had not enforced procedures for social distancing and failed to ensure all employees wore facial coverings or masks.  

This is the second citation against the correctional facility since June when it was fined $9,000 for mask use and social distancing violations.