Thread by @FWDus

THREAD

This #FathersDay, we’re reminded of the families who will be celebrating without their fathers, husbands, and sons. We’re also thinking of all those who came home from prisons, jails, and detention centers this past year & have the chance to celebrate with their families.

America’s system of mass incarceration makes us all less safe, especially during a pandemic. Jails and prisons are never safe places but the #coronavirus pandemic heightens the risk because social distancing is impossible in these institutions.

Incarcerated people can’t live, eat, or exercise in safety. They don’t have access to necessary hygiene and cleaning supplies, and lack basic medical care. Nearly 50,000 incarcerated people have tested positive and over 500 have died from the virus.

See the faces and read the stories of fathers and others who have #COVID19 behind bars, have passed away, are still fighting for release, and are navigating the criminal justice system in the community during this pandemic. #FreeAndSafe FWD.us/FreeAndSafe

Derek was raising his 8-year old daughter when he died of #COVID19 in an Arkansas prison. In early April, Derek's family stopped hearing from him and was concerned as they heard about the #coronavirus outbreak at the unit he was in. ualrpublicradio.org/post/covid-19-…

A prison nurse told the mother of Derek's daughter that he had tested positive. While the nursing staff said he was doing okay, other incarcerated individuals told his family of his worsening condition. Derek was a devoted father who was active in his daughter’s life.

When he was released, Derek had plans to open a barbershop. He would tell his daughter they could be in business together when she was older, where he would cut hair and she would do nails. Derek also wanted to take his daughter to a beach this summer.

His loved ones hoped he would be coming home the month he died. Instead of being able to welcome her daughter’s father home, his daughter’s mother had to go pick up his belongings from the prison.

While incarcerated, Layton, father of a four year old daughter, earned his GED and completed training to become a peer facilitator. He is concerned for his well-being as #COVID19 spreads through Arizona prisons. azcentral.com/story/news/loc…

After #COVID19 stopped his family from visiting, Layton was able to stay in touch by phone. His sister described him as a “guiding light” — Layton should be #FreeAndSafe with his daughter and family.

As his condition worsened, Lonnell asked for medical help for #COVID19 symptoms. Another incarcerated individual said in the Westville prison "you must be almost dead to get outside help." Lonnell didn't receive help for several days and ultimately died. npr.org/sections/healt…

Lonnell’s family didn’t know he was sick until the hospital called them to say he had died. His daughter said Lonnell asked for pictures of his grandkids. “He was so worried about us, and he ended up catching it.”

Anthony, a father of four, was approved for parole but he is stuck in a TX prison as #COVID19 spreads throughout the prison system. He has to complete a substance abuse program before release, even though he could complete the program outside of prison. dallasnews.com/news/investiga…

Anthony writes, "We shouldn’t have to live in fear everyday of contracting a disease that could possibly end in a death sentence for us."

Families of individuals in similar situations to Anthony are arguing that the Board of Pardon and Parole to consider the spread of #COVID19 when deciding conditions of release, but the Board has not changed its practices.

Read the stories of these fathers and many others who are impacted by #COVID19 and the criminal justice system. People should be #FreeAndSafe. Read and share their stories. FWD.us/FreeAndSafe