Covid-19 and the Justice System

This pandemic has taken a toll not only in the real world but the justice system, and the rate of incarcerated people. The reporting of covid-19 affecting state and federal prisons was very high where many inmates reported to be infected and effectively dying from the virus. According to the UCLA Law COVID-19 Behind Bars Project, more than 412,000 people incarcerated in prisons have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 2,700 people have died from COVID-19 behind bars. Being crowded with preexisting health issues behind bars with no kind of sanitation privilege plays a part to why the status of COVID-19 in facilities was such a vulnerable outbreak towards incarcerated people then the general population. The main things negatively affecting these inmates is that their accommodations are extremely limited. Since prisons are packed there is less social distancing, uneffective isolation/quarantine, and decreased health aide. Inmates are not the only people suffering from poor accommodations much of the prison staff has been underaccommadated as well especially due to slow vaccine uptake early in the pandemic. Beaurea of Prisons recently reported not only were less than half of the inmates vaccinated by May 21' but less than half of the staff had even received a 1st dose by April 21'. Based on these things alone many thought the most important thing would be to reduced inmates locked up by increasing early release status and reducing admissions. Some states have tried to take the initiative to help in the continued reduction of inmates. They have updated policies for parolees meeting with their officers during this time by being more "zoom friendly" and having more meetings via phone. This method has caused less scrutiny to parolees and allowed for a certain level of leniency during the pandemic so that less are likely to return due to rule violation. Some experts say that Nationwide was also a great contributor to the cause. Nationwide has largely stopped new prisoners from being thrown into local jails, P.O's from sending fewer people back due to rule violation, and court closures/extended court dates leading fewer people to be sentenced. For inmates still imprisoned suspension of medical co-pay should be made permanent for their health. They should also be provided with not only more hygiene products to help combat the virus but also more phone and video privelleges, free of charge to aid in their physical and emotional wellbeing.