Q. What is Operation: Swift Mask?
A. Operation: Swift Mask is an initiative of the Warrior Foundation to distribute up to 250,000 free face masks to U.S. correctional facilities hardest hit by COVID-19. A coalition of industry leading organizations, GUARDIAN RFID, AWS, Securus Technologies, and GTL, are supporting this initiative.
Q. What is the Warrior Foundation?
A. The Warrior Foundation is a wholly independent 501(c)(3) under the United States federal tax code whose mission is to provide philanthropic support for members of the Thin Gray Line through disaster relief efforts, and to provide economic assistance.
GUARDIAN RFID is a founding partner of the Warrior Foundation.
Q. Which correctional facilities are eligible to receive face masks?
A. Any U.S. correctional facility, including: jails, prisons, and juvenile detention facilities are eligible to request face masks. The Warrior Foundation’s intent is to provide the greatest good to the largest number of facilities possible.
We ask that facilities submit requests in consideration of national demand far exceeding supply. Please only request masks that you need, which can be immediately operationalized.
Q. Who can use these masks?
A. We are targeting correctional officers at every level, including civilian and medical workers, in this first-wave effort.
On a case-by-case basis, Warrior Foundation and GUARDIAN RFID will consider 3-ply disposable masks to be provided to incarcerated individuals in emergent cases only.
Q. How do I obtain masks?
A. Go to WarriorFoundation.us or visit guardianrfid.com/about/foundation and fill out the request form. Please provide your contact information, as well as an explanation of your need, such as the number of staff and inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 30 days, and how much PPE you have on-hand.
Q. When will masks begin distributing?
A. Masks will begin distributing the week of May 5 via UPS. At present, our central distribution location is in Minnesota (6900 Wedgwood Road N., Maple Grove, MN 55311).
There is no charge to receive free masks. All shipping expenses are being donated by GUARDIAN RFID.
Q. What types of masks are available?
A. Warrior Foundation has sourced a supply of 3-ply disposable masks with ear loops that are immediately available. Due to global limited supply, we do not anticipate having N95 or KN95 masks until the end of May or early June.
Q. How many masks can I request?
A. The number of masks you receive will be based on your request, and the severity of your circumstances. Our mission is to do the greatest good for the largest number of facilities. If your facility has a higher number of infections, and you have a higher average daily population in a state greatly affected by COVID-19, we will attempt to honor your request in full.
If your facility has low numbers of infection or no infections, we may lower your prioritization in order to help facilities that are enduring more hardship.
Q. Can our organization donate masks or make a financial donation?
A. Yes. The Warrior Foundation will gladly accept financial or mask donations. Financial contributions should be directed to:
Warrior Foundation
6900 Wedgwood Rd. N., Suite 325
Maple Grove, MN 55311
Q. Will more masks be made available if this supply runs out?
A. Our intention is to provide as many masks as possible, which may include additional rounds of masks being procured and distributed once the 250,000 have been distributed.
Q. Do I have to be a customer of GUARDIAN RFID, Securus Technologies, or GTL to receive masks?
A. No. Any facility in the U.S. is eligible to receive masks based on availability. This includes jails, prisons (state/federal), and juvenile correctional facilities of any size.