A TERRIFYING MILESTONE: COVID-19 PRISON INFECTIONS POISED TO PASS 50,000
Coronavirus Continues to Decimate Incarcerated Populations, Threatening Local Communities
-OVER 10,000 CORRECTIONS STAFF INFECTED-
Within days, there will be more than 50,000 incarcerated individuals across America who have been infected by the coronavirus, according to an analysis by the Justice Action Network, based on data from the Marshall Project. This alarming number reflects the critical need for congress to do more to help stop the spread of COVID 19 in prison populations.
As of June 23, the Marshall Project estimates at least 48,764 people in prison have contracted COVID 19 nationwide.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, prisons have been a breeding ground for COVID 19. Overcrowding, lack of medical resources, and unsanitary conditions have made U.S correctional centers exceptionally vulnerable to outbreaks for those incarcerated as well as corrections staff. In addition to the nearly 50,000 prisoners infected, there are over 10,000 correctional officers infected as well.
Congress has been called on to address prison overcrowding and the lack of state and federal resources in prisons to help stop the spread and save lives, but clearly more must be done as cases continue to rise.
“Fifty thousand. This horrifying number of infections and deaths pains us but does not surprise us,” said Holly Harris, President and Executive Director of Justice Action Network. “Congress must ensure in the next relief bill that local officials have the resources they need to reduce incarceration and avoid reaching catastrophic numbers like these, but lawmakers have not done enough to date.
“This virus cannot be locked behind bars. Prison populations, corrections staff and local communities must not be forgotten as the spread continues.”
The Justice Action Network, the nation’s largest bi-partisan group dedicated to criminal justice reform, has called on Congress to act swiftly to provide assistance to states and cities working to safely reduce their prison and jail populations; release elderly and vulnerable people who pose low risk; and help the one-in-three Americans with criminal records keep their jobs.