1/ Texas had tested about 1,700 symptomatic inmates for the coronavirus — about 1% of the state’s prison population.
More than 70% of them have tested positive.
That’s a staggeringly high rate compared to the state overall. bit.ly/2YtdaeV
More than 70% of them have tested positive.
That’s a staggeringly high rate compared to the state overall. bit.ly/2YtdaeV
2/ Within the walls of Texas prisons overrun with the new coronavirus, information on its spread is still scarce, and the people locked up and working inside are terrified.
Prisons and jails are home to many of the country’s largest outbreaks nationally. bit.ly/2YtdaeV
Prisons and jails are home to many of the country’s largest outbreaks nationally. bit.ly/2YtdaeV
3/ In the massive Beto Unit, hundreds of inmates and dozens of employees have tested positive.
Prisoners have been largely locked in their cells or dormitories for weeks.
But more men are becoming infected. bit.ly/2YtdaeV
Prisoners have been largely locked in their cells or dormitories for weeks.
But more men are becoming infected. bit.ly/2YtdaeV
4/ One inmate wrote to his mother: “The sick people use the same showers as the healthy people…”
“People are scared to tell the officers that they’re sick because they say they’re not doing much of anything to actually help.”
bit.ly/2YtdaeV
“People are scared to tell the officers that they’re sick because they say they’re not doing much of anything to actually help.”
bit.ly/2YtdaeV
5/ Experts say the solution is widespread testing and releasing some inmates early to reduce the overall prisoner population. bit.ly/2YtdaeV
6/ But Texas has one of the lowest testing rates in the country.
And releasing some prisoners early is a decision that falls to Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles — but neither has indicated any plans to do so. bit.ly/2YtdaeV
And releasing some prisoners early is a decision that falls to Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles — but neither has indicated any plans to do so. bit.ly/2YtdaeV
7/ And in one Texas jail, inmates are scared.
@ProPublica obtained a handful of letters from detainees at the Harris County Jail, the second largest in the country and the site of a fast-moving outbreak of COVID-19. bit.ly/2W2r5ag
@ProPublica obtained a handful of letters from detainees at the Harris County Jail, the second largest in the country and the site of a fast-moving outbreak of COVID-19. bit.ly/2W2r5ag
8/ “And each day that I wake up I’m in fear of my life. Our bunks are about 8 inches apart,” Ken, one inmate, wrote on April 16.
On that day, there were 68 inmates confirmed positive for the coronavirus. bit.ly/2W2r5ag
On that day, there were 68 inmates confirmed positive for the coronavirus. bit.ly/2W2r5ag
9/ “Basically it’s like sitting on death row,” Rich, another inmate, wrote on April 14. bit.ly/2W2r5ag
10/10 Read more about the state of prisons in Texas here: bit.ly/2YtdaeV
And read more about what’s happening in the Harris County Jail here: bit.ly/2W2r5ag
And read more about what’s happening in the Harris County Jail here: bit.ly/2W2r5ag
