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Coronavirus in jails and prisons

2020-11-17T08:31:52-05:00

The Appeal posted an article on October 19th investigating the impact of COVID-19 on prisons, their staff and population, and rural communities where the prisons are located. They noted the following data from Cascade County, Montana: Roughly a quarter of all known cases in Cascade County—where the local hospital’s 27-bed COVID-19 unit is at capacity—are [...]

Coronavirus in jails and prisons2020-11-17T08:31:52-05:00

240 Marquette Branch Prison inmates transferred as coronavirus outbreak continues

2020-11-17T08:31:44-05:00

TV station WLUC reported on October 16th that nearly a quarter of Marquette Branch Prison minimum security inmates have been transferred to Newberry Correctional Facility amid ongoing staffing absences stemming from COVID. Currently 204 inmates have tested positive with COVID. 96 prison staff have also reported positive, the highest in any Michigan correctional facility. [...]

240 Marquette Branch Prison inmates transferred as coronavirus outbreak continues2020-11-17T08:31:44-05:00

Michigan prisons sending photocopies of mail to inmates — not actual documents

2020-11-17T08:31:36-05:00

ABC News reports that Michigan prison inmates will now receive photocopies of mail. Corrections officials say the new policy is aimed at stopping an uptick in attempts to hide prohibited items and drugs in mail and ensuring the safety of the prison population. Attempts at mailing contraband increased after in-person visiting ended in March [...]

Michigan prisons sending photocopies of mail to inmates — not actual documents2020-11-17T08:31:36-05:00

Extra staff brought to Marquette Branch Prison amid coronavirus outbreak

2020-11-17T08:31:12-05:00

WLUC reported on October 12th that additional correction staff were brought in to assist Marquette Branch Prison (MBP) while it deals with a major COVID outbreak. To assist with the staffing issues, MDOC is bringing in volunteers and members of its Emergency Response Team. Read more: https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2020/10/12/extra-staff-brought-to-marquette-branch-prison-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/

Extra staff brought to Marquette Branch Prison amid coronavirus outbreak2020-11-17T08:31:12-05:00

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

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

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

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
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