A number of inmates recently became ill and have been treated at the prison, said Traci Billingsle. The symptoms appear to dissipate within 48 to 72 hours, she said. “Swine flu is not suspected because these all are all gastrointestinal-related,” Billingsley said. Visits were suspended Friday. They will resume when medical personnel are certain there is no risk of exposure, Billingsley said. The prison in Forrest City is a low-security facility housing male inmates, including rapper T.I., who is serving a yearlong sentence on a weapons charge.
From The Morning News
Authorities say visits with inmates have temporarily been suspended at the federal prison in Forrest City because of an illness outbreak. The prison says visits have been temporarily suspended because of a number of inmates with a “suspected gastrointestinal virus.” Prison officials say they don’t yet know what’s sickened the inmates, but that they don’t suspect swine flu. A prison official says visiting hours will resume once the virus is contained.
From (WXVT News)
