Feds investigating mysterious, deadly illness at Putnamville prison

GREENCASTLE, Ind. (WISH) – Parents of inmates are expressing concerns after a mysterious deadly illness at the Putnamville Correctional Facility in Greencastle.

“It’s just too much going on and I just want something done about it,” said a mother of an inmate who contacted 24-Hour News 8, but didn’t want to be identified.

Numbers released by the Indiana Department of Correction Monday afternoon show one offender died, and 25 patients are under observation. Eleven inmates are being monitored at the facility’s health care unit, 14 at Terre Haute Regional Hospital’s detention center and four were admitted to their intensive care unit.

“It hurts, it really hurts down in my soul. These are human beingd in the facility. Me as a parent, and other parents will love to see their loved ones come back home, safely,” said the mother.

Officials with the IDOC say the inmates are suffering from pneumonia-like symptoms. They began early last week.

The Indiana State Department of Health the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating.

The ISDH issued a statement saying:

ISDH is working closely with the Department of Correction, local health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to obtain and test specimens from the individuals who’ve become ill. We are also working with those agencies to identify any possible sources of exposure or whether any of the individuals who’ve become ill had any other conditions that might have affected the severity of their illness.

“Something has to be done, something really has to be done,” said the mother.

The jail says its bleaching units, and handing out masks to inmates and staff.

The IDOC has scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26

The prison has canceled all visitation until further notice.