Action Alert: Address the COVID-19 Emergency in Prisons and Jails

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ACTION ALERT
Addressing the COVID-19 Emergency in Prisons and Jails

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) urges Jews around the nation to advocate with their federal and state officials to urgently address the growing COVID-19 emergency in prisons and jails. With every hour of inaction, the human tragedy mounts.

Recognizing the potential catastrophe facing incarceration facilities in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak, JCPA is working with our partners in the Interfaith Criminal Justice Coalition and Justice Roundtable to advocate for emergency practices at the federal and state level, and we invite you to join us in urging elected officials to protect this at-risk population.

Why is the Current Coronavirus Crisis Especially Threatening to Those Who Are Incarcerated?

Prisons and jails are especially susceptible to rampant disease spread: close quarters, unsanitary conditions, subpar medical care, poor ventilation, and individuals in close, frequent contact. Over 2.1 million people are behind bars in the United States, including more than 500,000 people who are awaiting trial. The overwhelming majority are held in state and local facilities. COVID-19 is already rapidly spreading in these confined settings, which are poorly equipped to deal with a mass sickness. If not addressed swiftly, this will turn into a humanitarian disaster.

There are already documented explosions of cases and their crippling impact on prisons, those incarcerated, and the professionals working in them. The problem is especially acute in Louisiana and New York. Further compounding the risk, many residents have underlying conditions and are unable to self-isolate, and only a limited set of people from the “outside” can come in daily to provide care. They are also poorly equipped to deal with an outbreak due to limited staff members, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and a lack of medical infrastructure.

These facilities are also generally not afforded special emergency assistance under our existing laws unless specific provisions are made. To date, the federal government has not made available emergency allowances to the states for incarceration facilities and the health care workers serving those facilities.

For detailed recommendations that have been prepared by JCPA and our national coalition partners, click here.

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Addressing the COVID-19 Emergency in Prisons and Jails

Governors

Subject: Please Address the COVID-19 Emergency in Prisons and Jails

Message:

As an American Jew active with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, I urge you to act immediately to protect the thousands of men and women in our state jails and prisons right now whose lives are at stake due to COVID-19. Prisons and jails are especially susceptible to rampant disease spread: close quarters, unsanitary conditions, subpar medical care, poor ventilation, and individuals in close, frequent contact. Over 2.1 million people are behind bars in the United States, including more than 500,000 people who are awaiting trial. COVID-19 is already rapidly spreading in these confined settings, which are poorly equipped to deal with a volatile epidemic. If not addressed swiftly, this will turn into a humanitarian disaster. The Torah teaches that we are created in “the Image of God (Btzelem Elohim). This core belief is an ethical mandate for how we must treat and care for our fellow human beings. I implore you to enact policies and procedures right now which uphold the dignity of every person and protect incarcerated people and staff in prisons and jails. I urge you take the immediate actions below. For more detailed recommendations, please visit www.jewishpublicaffairs.org/covid19criminaljustice. 1. Reduce the numbers of people who are incarcerated. This can be done effectively by decreasing the numbers of people who enter prisons and jails and by accelerating the release of those who pose little risk to public safety. 2. Provide resources to protect those who cannot be released. Those incarcerated should be provided with the means to maintain good personal hygiene with access to soap and water and other sanitizing products, testing and treatment must be available on a broad scale just as they would be in other environments, and facilities should provide free unlimited phone calls, video conferencing, and email for all incarcerated people who can no longer receive visitors. 3. Eliminate, or at least suspend, the barriers to government benefits and services for those previously incarcerated. Particularly during this crisis, formerly incarcerated, including, but not limited to those who are being released under the conditions proposed here, must be able to find adequate, affordable housing; employment if they are able to be employed; and medical and other treatment (including addiction services). It is imperative that you create, release publicly, implement, and enforce a policy, vetted by public health officials for handling COVID-19 within each facility. Viruses do not respect prison walls. An outbreak anywhere is a danger everywhere. We must act now to protect the lives of all those in our state. Thank you. Sincerely,

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ACTION ALERT
Addressing the COVID-19 Emergency in Prisons and Jails

Why is the Current Coronavirus Crisis Especially Threatening to Those Who Are Incarcerated?

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ACTION ALERT Addressing the COVID-19 Emergency in Prisons and Jails

Why is the Current Coronavirus Crisis Especially Threatening to Those Who Are Incarcerated?

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ACTION ALERT
Addressing the COVID-19 Emergency in Prisons and Jails