Viruses don't discriminate. Society Does.
We have heard this sentence over and over this last few weeks: "virus doesn't discriminate". At a biology level, this is true. However, our society has created a considerable inequality that puts specific populations at risk. Jail and prison inmates have a higher burden of most chronic medical conditions than the general population, even with adjustment for sociodemographic differences!
Prison overcrowding and poor conditions prevent inmates from following CDC simple guidelines like washing hands or keeping physical distancing. As a reminder, the Justice Policy Institute found in 2012 that "60% of U.S jail population is composed of people who are not convincted but are being held in detention as they await the resolution of their charge". Meaning innocent people, until proven guilty.
Maybe this is the perfect time to fix it? Some states are already releasing non-violent prisoners to prevent the spread of the virus. Let's ask the federal government to do the same. It only takes a signature at lastprisonerproject.org/covid-19.
