The NY Times editorial board published an opinion article on June 25th about how federal prison officials have known the dangers of the spread of coronavirus inside prisons early on but have delayed in releasing at-risk inmates. The piece notes that: Currently, the nation’s top five Covid-19 hot spots are all correctional facilities, according [...]
In an article published June 18th, Michiganradio.org reports that advocates are pointing to the COVID-19 death rate among Michigan’s prisons as a sign that Michigan is not working fast enough to reduce the prison population. The article quotes Jacq Williams of Michigan United: "We’re begging for decarceration so people can spread out."
Insight News reported on May 15th that the US House passed the HEROES Act (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act), a $3 trillion COVID-19 relief package that includes more funding to address the immediate needs of families with low income. The stimulus bill includes the COVID-19 Compassion and Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice [...]
A Detroit Free Press article published on June 5th highlights a published study and report from the Vera Institute of Justice that reviews Wayne County's jails. The study looked at those who were in prison and why they were in prison. The report made recommendations on how to reduce the jail population after the pandemic. [...]
The Detroit News reports on efforts by Wayne County to incorporate recent jail reforms made due to COVID-19 into regular practice in an article posted June 2nd. The population of the Wayne County Jail has fallen by 40%. There are now more people on tether supervision than behind bars. Wayne County worked with the Vera [...]
The Prison Policy Initiative published a brief on May 21, 2020 that explores how parole "program requirements", often delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic, keep prisoners locked up who could safely be released. As the briefing notes: These are the people who have already been granted parole by the state parole boards, but have not yet [...]
The Annie E. Casey Foundation surveyed prison populations and found that the youth detention population fell 24% in one month. They note: The percentage reduction in youth detention across these jurisdictions in one month was as large as the national decline over a recent seven-year period (from 2010 to 2017). The findings highlight the rapid [...]
The Detroit Free Press published an opinion article highlighting the shifts in how jails are used (or misused) and how the Michigan Jails Task Force findings provide a roadmap on how to improve Michigan's correction system. The article also points out how the Michigan Jails Task Force findings are extremely relevant in helping to protect [...]
Spectrum News posted an article on May 15th highlighting efforts in Texas to release prisoners approved for parole to help reduce prison populations while the state faces the COVID-19 pandemic. The article shares stories of families as they work to get their loved ones released. One prisoner notes, "People do change, so they deserve the [...]
The Oakland Press reported on May 1st that at a federal court hearing, a judge will consider a request to make further changes at the Oakland County Jail due to COVID-19 as well as possible dismissing a class action lawsuit against the county officials. The original lawsuit alleged unsanitary conditions at the county jail are [...]
