The Marshall Project is a non-profit journalism project that is tracking COVID-19 infections in state and federal prisons. Interactive data helps people see just how widespread COVID-19 is among prisons and the toll it is taking on prisoners and staff. Much of the remarkable growth in coronavirus cases has been due to some states—Michigan, Ohio, [...]
Michiganradio.org reported on June 22nd that Michigan's 6th Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing a case filed by Oakland County jail inmates who allege they are denied basic sanitation items like soap and disinfectant to clean surfaces and shared items during the coronavirus pandemic. The inmates also allege that the county jails use prison transfers [...]
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."
The New York Times published an article on June 16th covering the rise in coronavirus cases in prisons even while the rate of infection in the US population has generally flattened. The article notes: The number of prison inmates known to be infected has doubled during the past month to more than 68,000. Prison deaths tied to the coronavirus have also risen, by 73 percent since mid-May.
The Detroit Free Press shared an opinion article by Craig DeRoche, former House Speaker in Michigan's legislature. In the article, DeRoche highlights how Michigan trails only behind Ohio in COVID-19 cases among incarcerated people. This is a major challenge for leaders and communities. From the article, DeRoche states: Taking action to responsibly expedite the release [...]
The Appeal in collaboration with Dissent Magazine, produced an investigative article published on May 18th, 2020 that explores how prisoners in New York's only high-security prison for women are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The article highlights the fears, uncertainty, and the various problems with dealing with a pandemic in a prison setting. The article [...]
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 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 [...]
