The coronavirus pandemic has revealed just how fragile our communities are when unexpected health crises break out, especially for the most vulnerable in our population like the elderly, people with certain health conditions, and all incarcerated people. 

Unlike most of the general population who are at-will to follow health protocols to prevent contracting the virus, incarcerated people aren’t afforded this privilege. There are roughly 2.3 million people currently behind bars and if an outbreak hits any one of those facilities where they’re housed, it will be devastating and fatal. 

The eventual outbreak will spread viciously due to overcrowding, cramped spaces, unsanitary conditions, and the high rate of elderly incarcerated people. Hundreds of thousands of individuals churn through jails on a daily basis and correctional, medical and other staff interact with the incarcerated population and circulate back into communities. This affects all of us.

Health officials and elected leaders across the nation have taken necessary steps to prevent and stop the spread of the virus, but no plan has been put in place to ensure the safety and health of the most vulnerable: incarcerated people. 

We are calling on Governors, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Corrections, local jails and detention centers, and corporations in the criminal legal system to immediately enact a humane plan to strategically deal with the incarcerated population as the virus spreads. 

Sign on to demand a proactive and comprehensive prevention plan from key decision-makers to ensure the safety of all incarcerated people.

Full demands are at: humaneoutbreakresponse.org 

Here is the Petition:

Sign onto the demands.