Three Michigan inmates talked with MichiganRadio.org about what it is like to be in prison amid a pandemic. "Living through a pandemic is hard enough for most of us. But for people in prisons, where physical distancing is close to impossible, a pandemic causes an extra level of anxiety, fear, and vulnerability." Read more: [...]
The Detroit News reported that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of bills that would expand shields over young offender records, decrease the number of crimes punishable by suspension of a driver's license and reduce probation and parole in some cases. The legislation was based on research and collaboration from the bipartisan Michigan [...]
Michigan passed a grim milestone this week as more than 100 prisoners have died of COVID-19 inside prison. The Detroit Free Press reported on December 17, 2020 that, "As of Wednesday, 103 people incarcerated at the state's 29 prisons have died."
The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan is investigating possible COVID-19 reinfections among prisoners in the state's correction system. The state health department is reviewing cases of possible COVID-19 reinfection among Michigan prisoners after more than 100 people have tested positive for a second time while incarcerated. The Department of Corrections has identified 115 [...]
The Detroit Free Press reports on families and advocates protesting Michigan's Department of Corrections handling of the pandemic as cases continue to grow inside Michigan's prisons. More than 95 prisoners have died so far. Advocate Zoe Jackson noted, "There are actions that could've been taken at a state level but nothing has been done. [...]
ABC News reports on how prison inmates face big risks of COVID virus exposure but are nowhere near the top of the list to get vaccinated in many states. They also report that, "Michigan has decided to treat prisoners like everyone else, vaccinating them based on their age and health problems and not prioritizing them [...]
NPR reports that with no clear indication if and when vaccines will be given to prisoners, advocates and prisoners are calling on states and the federal government to do more to reduce COVID exposure in prisons. Hear more: https://news.wbfo.org/post/advocates-call-changes-prisons-reduce-inmates-exposure-coronavirus
ClickOnDetroit reports on Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Corrections efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan's prison facilities. Governor Whitmer said, "This is a concern that we share as an administration, and I know that families across the state are worried about the safety of their loved ones who [...]
Radio station WDET reports that COVID-19 continues to spread through Michigan's prison system. Outlier Media's Joey Horan says that the Michigan Department of Corrections is not doing enough to protect inmates, staff and the communities they might touch outside. Horan notes that, "people are intentionally packed in like sardines," which makes controlling spread of COVID-19 [...]
Many inmates and their loved ones say that Governor Whitmer is wrong to claim that Michigan prisons are following CDC guidance. MichiganRadio.org reports that "42% of state prisoners have now been infected with the coronavirus" as families with loved ones in prison note that, "there's not enough soap or sanitizer, and many inmates are living [...]
