Background
The United States has the world’s largest population of incarcerated people. Close to 2.3 million people on average daily are among the incarcerated population. The United States has only 4% of the world’s population, but more than 21% of the world’s incarcerated population. Over the years, the United States have filled incarceration facilities to the point of overcrowding. When many of these individuals already face serious health problems, Covid-19 easily spreads. As expected, inmates living in congregate living environments face high rates of Covid-19 infection rate. Authors Jordan and Wilson said, “Correctional health is public health” (Jordan, A., & Wilson, M., 2020). The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration. The pandemic has also drawn the much-needed attention to socioeconomic disparities and disproportionate rates of health conditions found in incarceration facilities. Certain minority groups are overrepresented in correctional facilities. The Marshall Project reported, as of September 29, that 138,105 cases of Covid-19 have been reported among inmates. Out of the overall positive cases, 112,221 have recovered (State-by-State Look at Coronavirus in Prisons, 2020).
Alarming High Infection Rate
Prevention of Covid-19 in correctional facilities has been difficult due to the nature of the facilities. Incarcerated people are living in crowded living conditions, have limited ability to isolate or practice social distancing, and are unable to practice adequate hygiene. It has been recorded that the virus travels fast in these settings. In addition to the fast spread, the virus is repeatedly being transferred from staff members, to incarcerated individuals, to visitors, to new imamates entering the facilities. A study done by Harvard University found that there is a much higher infection rate among incarcerated individuals than found in the general public. This study examined 16 incarceration facilities in Massachusetts. The data showed that there was a 6.9% rate of infection among the inmates and the staff. There were 1,302 confirmed cases of Covid-19 out of the total population of 14,987 inmates. The rate of 6.9% was much higher than the state rate of 2.91% and the national rate of 4.8% (Dall, C, 2020).
Under Reporting
There is a clear under reporting problem seen nationwide. This under reporting demonstrates the problematic spreading of Covid-19. There is no mandatory national reporting on Covid-19 in correctional facilities. This includes no prevention, testing, or treatment across correctional facilities. Jordan and Wilson state that a national Covid-19 testing and contact tracing plan would go a long way. This plan would help address the undercounts of Covid-19 infection rates as well as help formulate a prevention plan (Jordan, A., & Wilson, M., 2020). Eisler et al found minimal testing and inconsistent reporting among local jails in Detroit. This data is congruent with the US government’s data as they both appear to undercount the number of Covid-19 cases in correctional settings (Eisler, et al. 2020, May 18). It is clear that mass incarceration is a public health issue (Widra, E., & Hayre, D., 2020).
Close to Home
Cook County jail was classified as the “largest-known source” of Covid-19 cases in the United States back in June 2020 (Jordan, A., & Wilson, M., 2020). One in six Covid-19 cases from Illinois was traced back to the Cook County Jail.
A Stateville Correctional Facility (Joliet, IL) Case Study
Anthony and James were cellmates for over 5 years. In March, Anthony began to feel body aches, a sore throat, and a dry cough. Days later, James was also infected by the infectious virus. James was transported to the local hospital on March 29. He tested positive for Covid-19. After a month long stay in the hospital, James unfortunately died. Antony said, “We were inseparable… Did I kill my best friend?” Anthony stated that social distancing is impossible at the correctional facility, prisoners have received little to no PPE, cleaning supplies, or medical treatment. Several inmates at the same facility said that the Illinois Department of Corrections, IDOC, is failing to isolate those with symptoms (Mendoza, A. 2020)
Recommendations for Correctional Facilities
- Isolate infected Covid-19 inmates, while providing them with access to health care and services; do not house in solitary confinement
- Quarantine inmates exposed to Covid-19 with limited exposure to general population in these facilities
- Hospitalize the seriously ill
- Identify staff who have recovered from Covid-19, and place staff members will quarantined inmates or infected inmates (Jordan, A., & Wilson, M. 2020)
These recommendations provide safe, preventative measures for both the inmates and the staff.
~ Riley Ramirez
References
Dall, C,. (2020, August 21). Studies spotlight high COVID-19 infection rate in US prisons. Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/08/studies-spotlight-high-covid-19-infection-rate-us-prisons
Eisler, P., So, L., Parker, N., & Heath, B. (2020, May 18). Special Report: 'Death Sentence' - the hidden coronavirus toll in U.S. jails and prisons. Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-jails-specailr/special-report-death-sentence-the-hidden-coronavirus-toll-in-u-s-jails-and-prisons-idUSKBN22U1V2
Jordan, A., & Wilson, M. (2020). Addressing COVID-19 and Correctional Facilities: A Social Work Imperative. Retrieved October 07, 2020, from Addressing COVID-19 and Correctional Facilities: A Social Work Imperative
Mendoza, A. (2020, June 26). Forgotten: Stateville inmates warn of rising COVID-19 outbreak behind bars. Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.chicagoreporter.com/forgotten-stateville-inmates-warn-of-rising-covid-19-outbreak-behind-bars/
State-by-State Look at Coronavirus in Prisons. (2020, October 01). Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/05/01/a-state-by-state-look-at-coronavirus-in-prisons
Widra, E., & Hayre, D. (2020). Failing Grades: States' Responses to COVID-19 in Jails & Prisons. Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/failing_grades.html
Great post! I do believe that the United States has the largest population of incarcerated people. So many cases within the incarcerated population has been reported. Inmates are unable to self-quarantine because of their incarceration. Not only aren’t they able to self-quarantine but obtain the medical attention necessary. The resources available to them are very limited.
ReplyDeleteWow major applauds on this post! it was an amazing read and I learned a lot. Often I feel like our incarcerated population is forgotten, especially during the crazy times of COVID. Overcrowding is a horrible problem here in the US. I personally feel like we could help alleviate this issue by focusing on our energy as social workers on decriminalizing substance abuse, holding the system accountable for incarcerating BIPOC for small drug violations related to marijuana now that many states have legalized it, seek more funding to provide PPE to staff and inmates. I was not even aware of Cook County being labeled the major hot spot for COVID as of June. It was also so sad to read about the Anthony and James story. Survivor's guilt can be a very detrimental thing ,so I can only hope that correctional facilities are providing increased counseling during this trying time.
ReplyDeleteSo many individuals in correctional facilities have been forgotten about during COVID-19. You are absolutely right, it is basically impossible to keep everyone isolated and separated to decrease transmission of the virus. Because of overcrowding, I am almost sure that cleaning procedures should have been implemented. With so much overcrowding in these facilities, healthcare is absolutely dire to containing the virus and treating those who become infected. It is truly scary that many individuals incarcerated are not getting the access they need to these services for treatment. Also, I do remember hearing about Cook County and their increased COVID-19 infected individuals. This is all just so crazy. Just because these people are incarcerated does not mean that they should not have the basic access to receive services for screening and treatment. Thank you so much for shedding light on this subject Riley. Great job.
ReplyDelete-Clarissa T.
Thank you for this post! I feel that in the midst of all that has happened, persons in the criminal justice system have not received enough attention nor support. The results of this have of course been catastrophic, with high number of infections and deaths. People are needlessly dying, much in the same way people are needlessly jailed. The deplorable conditions in jails that stem from overcrowding are really brought on because of the criminalization of minorities for profit. It also stems from the violation of inmates' basic human rights. Inmates deserve access to prompt health care services and during this pandemic, screening, intervention, and follow up.
ReplyDeleteWow, to learn that "Cook County Jail was the largest known source of COVID-19 in the United States in June 2020," was so sad. Inmates are already put at risk of so many other illnesses and diseases and stripped of many human rights and to learn that COVID-19 was so prominent within a jail so close to home was jaw dropping for me. It is especially saddening because many of these inmates are considered criminals for petty crimes and should not be imprisoned. Furthermore, the fact that we do not know what has happened to the many of those who did show symptoms of the virus or contract the virus in jails and prisons across the United States due to underreporting is a bit scary. I think your recommendations are great because I believe that inmates are likely having their rights taken from them and being put into solitary confinement when they do get the virus so prisons can try to stop a spread. But this is unethical and inhumane. I hope we can get more reporting so we know what is really happening, based on your post I do not think the reports will be good, but they are needed. Thank you for highlighting this topic, it is so necessary we talk about it!
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