A few large prison systems have ended visitation and quarantined at-risk inmates to block the spread of swine flu, reports USA Today. California operates the largest state system, which holds 170,000 inmates. It canceled all visitation and barred all non-essential personnel from the facilities after prison officials diagnosed the first “probable” case of the H1N1 virus Sunday.
Texas manages the second-largest state system, holding 154,000 offenders. Authorities canceled visitation at all 112 facilities over the weekend and will consider closing to visitors next weekend. Although there were no confirmed cases, said 29 inmates are being quarantined for at least a week because they exhibit symptoms of the virus. The federal Bureau of Prisons, with 203,000 offenders, has launched the first of a four-part response plan that involves screening all new prisoners for symptoms. Some facilities have canceled visitation.