(WJAC) — "When we walk in, you basically cross your fingers and hope that you don't come into contact with somebody that has it."
That's what John Eckenrode, President of the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, says about working in a state prison during the pandemic.
He's fighting for 11,000 of their corrections officers in the PSCOA to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
"We've been trying to get prioritized. We've been trying to get into the 1A Phase going on two and a half months now. For whatever reason, it's just falling on deaf ears," Eckenrode said.
After Wednesday's announcement -- that teachers and school staff will be first in line to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine -- questions have been raised about vaccine priority.
"I understand why they would want teachers to be vaccinated, but I was really holding out hope that the announcement would come out and they would include corrections employees also. Unfortunately, they haven't done that," Eckenrode said.
The Department of Corrections announced last month they're offering $25 to inmates at three state prisons if they get the vaccine.
DOC officials say, since prisons are congregate care settings, vaccinating inmates can help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the entire community.
Although, Eckenrode says to put officers first, after about 2,000 of them have been infected with the virus and four corrections employees have died.
He said between employees getting the virus and having to quarantine, the overtime exhaustion is real.
"You might get mandated for a 16-hour shift 3 or 4 times out of your week. After a while, it takes a toll on you. It's very hard on you personally. It's very hard on your family," he said.
Eckenrode said the officers are the ones who can bring the virus out into the community.
"At the end of the day, you go home. You're going home to the people that you care about. You're going back to the community that you care about," he said.
The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association also sent out a statement Wednesday, saying, "There are only 4,300 state troopers in Pennsylvania, but they are responsible for patrolling over 85% of our Commonwealth."
"Thus far, over 700 troopers have been infected with nearly 1,000 department employees, overall. An outbreak could cripple our department. Public safety should be a priority right now. The PSTA renews our call for the administration to vaccinate first responders so they can focus on doing their jobs," the statement continued.
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