Imagine. You’re locked in a confined space w/ dozens. 23 hrs movement restricted. No masks. Forced to share toilet. Either no soap or soap you can’t afford. Many likely have symptoms. Complain: you’re retaliated against. Medical care denied. This is US jails/prisons right now.
Our systems, system actors, prosecutors & judges, & our laws, lawmakers & leaders, across the country have largely done nothing to respond to human suffering inside jails/prisons even in a pandemic. Even in this remarkable time, it is strict adherence to the cruel status quo.
Leaders like @NYGovCuomo, @NYCMayor, & @LoriLightfoot responding w/ urgency to COVID for those outside, choose to ignore human suffering inside jails and prisons where social distancing is impossible, soap and sanitizer is denied, and medical attention is abysmal.
Across they country, the vast majority of federal judges hearing cases about COVID in jails/prisons remain unmoved, falling back on traditional legal outs like "exhaustion," taking jails word for it, ignoring sworn declarants. If/when they do anything, it’s not close to enough.
Across they country, the vast majority of federal judges hearing cases about COVID in jails/prisons remain unmoved, falling back on traditional legal outs like "exhaustion," taking jails word for it, ignoring sworn declarants. If/when they do anything, it’s not close to enough.
The reality: Number of people caged in jails & prisons are up significantly from during the first wave of the pandemic. Just last two weeks there are more new cases/wk in prisons alone than during the entire pandemic: approximately 27,000 new cases. Those are just ones reported.
In Michigan alone, there are 4000 new positive cases this last month. Currently 12 outbreaks in 12 facilities.
COVID has exposed the cruelty of the criminal legal system in unprecedented ways. Calls for accountability & action from organizers, activists, advocates, & those caged have been clearer than ever. When will our leaders listen & start caring about human suffering & death?
Some extraordinary organizations fighting for release to follow and give to:
@RAPPcampaign @VOCALNewYork @Dreamdefenders @CivRightsCorps @TxJailProject @releasemd @WorthRises @BKBailFund @ChiBondFund @endmoneybond @svdebug @MILiberation @bailfundnetwork @restore_CAL
@RAPPcampaign @VOCALNewYork @Dreamdefenders @CivRightsCorps @TxJailProject @releasemd @WorthRises @BKBailFund @ChiBondFund @endmoneybond @svdebug @MILiberation @bailfundnetwork @restore_CAL
More great orgs to support fighting for release & dignity:
@CANY_NYC @adv_project @CommJusticeExch @ImmDefense @BronxDefenders @BklynDefender @NeighborhoodDef @LawndaleLegal @andreacjames @nyc_defenders @svdebug @NYCAIC @afsc_org
@CANY_NYC @adv_project @CommJusticeExch @ImmDefense @BronxDefenders @BklynDefender @NeighborhoodDef @LawndaleLegal @andreacjames @nyc_defenders @svdebug @NYCAIC @afsc_org
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