"The safety and security of our employees is my number one concern,” John Wetzel, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Secretary, said as he announced the lockdown.

“Our state prisons, especially, those in the western part of the state, have experienced recent incidents in which employees have been sickened and we need to get to the bottom of this issue now.” 

Effective immediately, all of the state’s 24 prisons are locked down, all visits have been suspended, mailrooms indefinitely closed to non-legal mail, and staff have been instructed to don protective clothing and equipment, the department said on Wednesday.

The use of gloves and other protective gear has been made “mandatory” for the prison staff, which will also undergo situation awareness training “immediately”, he added.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW