Flattening the Curve for Incarcerated Populations — Covid-19 in Jails and Prisons

Akiyama, Matthew J.; Spaulding, Anne C.; Rich, Josiah D.

doi:10.1056/nejmp2005687

Cited by 262 publications

(324 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Although these actions are essential, the most effective way to avoid an imminent outbreak, is, as others have argued, to drastically reduce the populations of jails and prisons. 6 Criminal justice systems can accomplish this by reducing unnecessary jail admissions and expediting prison release. Some prosecutors are already adjusting prosecutorial standards to reduce jail admissions and the length of stays.…”

Section: Solutions To Mitigate Harmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 in Prisons and Jails in the United States

2020

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In mid-March 2020, the first case of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) was diagnosed at Riker's Island, the main jail complex in New York City. Within 2 weeks, more than 200 cases were diagnosed within the facility, despite efforts to curb the spread. The situation at the Cook County jail in Chicago is similar, with about 350 incarcerated persons and staff members testing positive for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus as of early April 2020. Many other jails and prisons have reported outbreaks of COVID-19 and related deaths.Prior viral epidemics have wrought havoc in carceral settings. An account from San Quentin prison detailing the Spanish influenza of 1918 estimated that half of the 1900 inmates contracted the disease during the first wave of the epidemic; sick calls increased from 150 to 700 daily. Contrary to protocol, most of the ill were kept in the general prison population because the hospital ward was full. 1 At present, jails (which house individuals awaiting trial or serving short sentences) and prisons (which house individuals who have been convicted of crimes and are serving longer sentences) are usually crowded. When they are unable to adhere to measures needed to contain and mitigate a viral epidemic, incarcerated persons, staff, and the wider community are endangered.

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Section: Solutions To Mitigate Harmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 in Prisons and Jails in the United States

2020

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“…46,[48][49][50][51][52][53][54] Experts in correctional health and human rights have argued that these decarceration levels are insufficient and raised concerns that pandemic responses could be exacerbating racial disparities. 32,47 For example, in Illinois and Conne cticut, decarceration of White people has been substantially higher than that of African Americans during the COVID19 pandemic. 55,56 Depopulation of correctional facilities has been inadequate, whether considered with the COVID19 pandemic or with the dismaying longterm trends.…”

Section: Decarceration In Response To the Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decarceration and community re-entry in the COVID-19 era

Franco‐Paredes

Ghandnoosh

Latif³

et al. 2021

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

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Jails and prisons are exceptionally susceptible to viral outbreaks, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The USA has extremely high rates of incarceration and COVID-19 is causing an urgent health crisis in correctional facilities and detention centres. Epidemics happening in prisons are compounding the elevated risks that COVID-19 poses to people of colour, older people, and those with comorbidities. Intersectoral community re-entry efforts in the USA and other countries have shown that releasing people from correctional facilities as a pandemic-era public health intervention is safe and can support both public safety and community rebuilding. Therefore, substantial decarceration in the USA should be initiated. A point of focus for such efforts is that many people in prison are serving excessively long sentences and pose acceptable safety risks for release. Properly managed, correctional depopulation will prevent considerable COVID-19 morbidity and mortality and reduce prevailing socioeconomic and health inequities.

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“…It also reduces the population of people who remain incarcerated, which allows for greater social distancing and improved access to limited available resources. Decarceration includes reducing the flow of people into prisons and accelerating the flow of people out of prisons by reducing arrests and increasing early release (Akiyama et al, 2020). Arrests can be replaced with citations and other noncarceral alternatives.…”

Section: Policies In Response To Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Distancing and Incarceration: Policy and Management Strategies to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission and Promote Health Equity Through Decarceration

Henry

2020

Health Educ Behav

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Incarcerated people are at disproportionately high risk of contracting COVID-19. Prisons are epicenters for COVID-19 transmission, including to the community. High rates of preexisting health conditions, limited access to quality health care, and inability to social distance make it impossible to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in prisons. Due to a history of compounded social determinants, incarcerated populations are disproportionately composed of people of color and people with stigmatized behavioral health disorders. Rapid decarceration is needed to promote health equity. Historical mass decarceration events demonstrate feasibility to rapidly release large groups of people while maintaining public safety. Iran and Ireland have released substantial portions of their prison populations by transitioning people to home confinement. In the United States and Uganda, some jurisdictions have reduced new incarcerations through policies that decrease arrests. These policies must be globally expanded to contain the epidemic, and its potential health consequences, while addressing health equity.

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Flattening the Curve for Incarcerated Populations — Covid-19 in Jails and Prisons

Cited by 262 publications

References 3 publications

COVID-19 in Prisons and Jails in the United States

COVID-19 in Prisons and Jails in the United States

Decarceration and community re-entry in the COVID-19 era

Social Distancing and Incarceration: Policy and Management Strategies to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission and Promote Health Equity Through Decarceration

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