How Vienna Handled COVID-19: What Inmates Reported About Soap, Cleaning Supplies, and Information

This data comes from COVID-19 survey responses collected at Vienna Correctional Center between April 24 and May 20, 2020. A total of 389 people responded. The compiled results show a generation date of July 10, 2020 - helpful for placing these reports in time.

When it came to soap and handwashing access, 58.20% of respondents said they had enough soap to regularly wash their hands that week. That's a majority - but it also means access wasn't consistent for everyone. Families often want to pin down exactly what day-to-day safety looked like inside.

Meanwhile, 38.36% said they didn't have enough soap to wash their hands regularly that week. That gap matters. If someone can't count on soap being available when they need it, "wash your hands often" becomes advice they can't actually follow.

Cleaning supplies were an even sharper issue. In the same survey, 78.40% of respondents said they received no cleaning chemicals from IDOC to clean their cell or sleeping area that week. In shared spaces with close quarters, "none" doesn't just mean inconvenience - it means living with whatever was already on surfaces.

By contrast, 11.20% said they got cleaning chemicals once a day that week. The difference highlights uneven experiences - some people had routine access while many others reported getting nothing at all.

When the question shifted from "did you receive chemicals" to "was it enough to actually clean," the numbers stayed concerning. Only 8.73% said they had enough cleaning chemicals to thoroughly clean their cell or sleeping area that week. Another 13.49% said they didn't have enough to get the job done. Even among people with some access, "enough" wasn't guaranteed.

For prevention information, the most common source was a paper bulletin posted on the unit. In the survey, 58.87% said that's how they got COVID-19 prevention info.

A smaller but significant group reported a total communication breakdown: 7.20% said they didn't receive any information from IDOC about COVID-19 prevention. That 7% gap represents people who, at least that week, weren't getting even basic guidance through official channels.

Families often ask about support systems that became even more critical during COVID - phone access, video visits, mail, commissary. The same Vienna survey includes questions on those topics. Reading those sections alongside the hygiene and information results gives you a fuller picture of what people said they could and couldn't do during that period.

Practical Suggestions

• ✓ Ask your loved one specific yes/no questions (example: “Did you get soap this week without buying it?” and “Were cleaning chemicals issued on your unit at all?”)
• ✓ If they report problems, get dates, unit/location, and whether the issue was ongoing or a one-time shortage
• ✓ Keep a simple log of what you’re told (date you heard it, what was missing, how long it lasted)
• ✓ Use the survey results as a script for follow-up questions, especially around soap, cleaning chemicals, and how prevention information is shared
• ✓ If you’re escalating concerns, stick to concrete details (who, what, when) rather than general frustration

These survey results reflect what incarcerated people reported during one specific window - April 24 through May 20, 2020 - with the compiled document dated July 10, 2020. Conditions can change quickly. Use these numbers as a baseline for what was reported then, and verify current conditions before assuming the same patterns hold.

1. Ask about the last 7 days - the survey questions were framed that way, and it helps you get a clear, current snapshot.
2. Separate “soap” from “cleaning chemicals” - they’re not the same thing; ask about each directly.
3. Pin down the information channel - ask how COVID or health guidance is shared on their unit right now (posted notices, staff communication, etc.).
4. Document patterns - one bad day is different from a repeated shortage; dates and frequency matter.
5. Compare against the survey document - use it to keep your questions focused and to spot whether the same gaps are being reported again.