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Prisoners Describe Official Missteps at the Center of Michigan’s Worst Coronavirus Outbreak

2020-10-01T09:00:27-04:00

The Intercept reported on September 28th that prisoners at Muskegon Correctional Facility in Michigan described how officials, "frequent, haphazard transfers contributed to the virus’s spread". The article notes how that until July, Muskegon Correctional Facility had zero cases. But then by the end of July, cases had skyrocketed. Prisoners reported that officials failed by: [...]

Prisoners Describe Official Missteps at the Center of Michigan’s Worst Coronavirus Outbreak2020-10-01T09:00:27-04:00

ACLU wants Michigan prison to give inmates free cups during COVID-19

2020-10-01T09:00:27-04:00

A Detroit Free Press article posted on September 19th notes that the ACLU of Michigan is calling on a federal prison to provide free cups to incarcerated people during COVID-19. The ACLU of Michigan wants to prevent the spread of the virus from prisoners using the drinking fountains. Under normal circumstances, prisoners at the [...]

ACLU wants Michigan prison to give inmates free cups during COVID-192020-10-01T09:00:27-04:00

How COVID-19 is shedding light on disparities in the criminal justice system

2020-10-01T09:00:27-04:00

WXYZ Detroit reported on September 29th, 2020 that COVID-19 is highlighting disparities in the US criminal justice system. The article uses Quentin Burt's story to show how Federal mandatory minimum sentencing has impacted the US - in the 1970's, the federal prison population was about 300,000. Now, it's nearly two-and-a-half million. COVID-19 is revealing [...]

How COVID-19 is shedding light on disparities in the criminal justice system2020-10-01T09:00:27-04:00

For Inmates with COVID-19 Anxiety and Isolation Make Prison ‘Like a Torture Chamber’

2020-10-01T09:00:27-04:00

In an article posted September 25th, michiganradio.org notes the terror and anxiety among prisoners caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. John J. Lennon was a prisoner at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York. John said that social distancing was impossible. He shared how making calls on prison phones meant being "chest to shoulders" with [...]

For Inmates with COVID-19 Anxiety and Isolation Make Prison ‘Like a Torture Chamber’2020-10-01T09:00:27-04:00

COVID-19 adds more challenges to reentry after prison: ‘It’s really a whole new game’

2020-09-10T10:31:05-04:00

The Detroit Free Press published an article on September 7th detailing some of the many challenges re-entry poses for former prisoners. Getting a State ID or driver's license can be particularly difficult due to public health safety restrictions caused by the pandemic. [Daniel Robinson from Worthy and Able] estimates that 75 to 80 out [...]

COVID-19 adds more challenges to reentry after prison: ‘It’s really a whole new game’2020-09-10T10:31:05-04:00

Federal prisons resume visitation in October, 7 months after COVID-19 forced suspension

2020-09-03T09:02:26-04:00

USA Today reported on September 1st that the US Federal prison system will resume inmate visitation starting in October. This change, 7 months after visits were suspended because of the threat of COVID-19, was announced by officials on Tuesday. "We are committed to protecting the health and welfare of those inmates who are entrusted [...]

Federal prisons resume visitation in October, 7 months after COVID-19 forced suspension2020-09-03T09:02:26-04:00

Union calls for removal of Michigan prisons director over handling of coronavirus

2020-09-03T09:00:35-04:00

The Detroit Free Press reported on August 27th, 2020 that the union representing Michigan prison officers called for the removal of Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington. The union noted that it has lost confidence in her leadership over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic. "The Michigan Corrections Organization will be submitting a vote [...]

Union calls for removal of Michigan prisons director over handling of coronavirus2020-09-03T09:00:35-04:00

Michigan inmates fear punitive responses to COVID-19 in state prisons

2020-08-27T08:35:05-04:00

In a post published August 25th, MichiganRadio.org reports that many Michigan inmates say that they fear punitive responses from state prisons when dealing with COVID-19 and its spread among inmates. Throughout the pandemic, prisoners have raised concerns about how the Michigan Department of Corrections is responding to COVID-19 in the state's prisons. Read and listen to [...]

Michigan inmates fear punitive responses to COVID-19 in state prisons2020-08-27T08:35:05-04:00

Nearly half the population at Michigan prison tests positive for COVID-19

2020-08-27T08:31:11-04:00

In an article posted August 21st, 2020, The Detroit Free Press reported that nearly half of the prisoner population at the Muskegon Correctional Facility tested positive for COVID-19. Men incarcerated there told the Free Press they feel it's inevitable that the virus will spread even further behind the prison's walls. They fear for their health and [...]

Nearly half the population at Michigan prison tests positive for COVID-192020-08-27T08:31:11-04:00

Care or punishment? Michigan prisoners placed in solitary as COVID surges

2020-08-27T08:29:30-04:00

In an article published August 24, 2020, bridgemi.com reported that, with a new surge of COVID-19 cases in Michigan's prisons, many inmates who test positive are placed in solitary confinement. Since March, the Michigan Department of Corrections has placed inmates who are sick or suspected of being so in solitary confinement — which is normally [...]

Care or punishment? Michigan prisoners placed in solitary as COVID surges2020-08-27T08:29:30-04:00
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