Federal Medical Center

Center is where inmates need medical attention.

It's also a place covid-19 spreading and spreading fast.

Abc 36 justin roth spoke to the brother of an inmate and says.... what he's hearing about the conditions inside the facility.... is making him fear for his brother's safety.

Ironically, the federal medical center is where inmates go for medical treatment.

But relatives of inmates paint a grim picture inside.

15 "there's no gloves, they've got these little masks but they're paper so they rip in an hour or two and they gotta wear them 24/7.

Correctional officers are having to wear trash bags for ppe instead of suits."

Jerry's brother is serving time...he just hopes the disease doesn't steal his chance at a future.

14 "yeah he's done wrong and he's in there paying for his crime but he didn't get a life sentence.

He's got future ahead of him when he gets out.

But if he can't protect himself from this virus and keep clean then it could turn into a life sentence."

Which leaves loved ones like jerry left wondering 08 "i just feel helpless because you're supposed to be protecting your loved ones in there but they're not helping them with anything they need."

10 "the inmates are so scared the inmates are going into the bathrooms and tearing down the soap dispensers, and taking out the bags and getting the few drops left just to wash their hands."

The lexington health department is aware of the conditions and the scary numbers...it's concerned and offered advice...but its hands are tied.

11 "unfortunately as a public health department we don't have access to a federal facility...at any federal facility the response as to protecting the inmates belongs to the center."

13 "they're not only lexington residents because of where they live but again they're really people and our hope is the medical center realizes the seriousness of the situation and takes the steps necessary."

Jerry's brother's fears grow daily.

03 "i mean it kind of inevitable he's going to get it."

The medical center houses more than 1400 inmates.

It now has 53 cases, 52 among inmates and one among staff.

In april, the federal bureau of prisons said it was going to expand testing but it's unclear whether that included lexington.

The facility could not be reached wednesday for comment.

Justin roth abc36 news.

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