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"Is that a no?"
For the last week @MilaMimica1 & I have been digging into the #COVID19 pandemic's impact on Oregon's prisons.
It started w/ this iview w/ the Dept of Corrections. I asked a simple question 3 times: is there enough space for ppl in prison to remain 6 ft apart?
For the last week @MilaMimica1 & I have been digging into the #COVID19 pandemic's impact on Oregon's prisons.
It started w/ this iview w/ the Dept of Corrections. I asked a simple question 3 times: is there enough space for ppl in prison to remain 6 ft apart?
. @MilaMimica1's & my full story stemming from that clip, including info on the first DOC employee to test positive for #COVID19, here: https://www.kgw.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-oregon-prisons-covid-social-distancing/283-f22f5440-288e-488a-afb4-37898e040e37
Oregon's prisons contain 14,500 inmates, & they're run by 4,500 employees. In the last week, 4 more DOC employees & 3 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. 1 called me from Columbia River & said "it's impossible not to cough on somebody." https://www.kgw.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-oregon-prison-masks-inmates/283-a024510c-942a-4fcd-b8a2-639289d7b386
Then came the lawsuit, filed by 7 inmates, all over 60 and/or chronically ill. They want a judge to mandate a social distance of 6 ft in all prisons. If that can’t happen, they want the number of inmates reduced. @OregonGovBrown also has that power. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/oregon-inmates-sue-department-of-corrections-over-covid-response/283-cd2a05f6-ad26-4e4f-a8c6-c35a0451ce91
Shout-out to @noellecrombie who learned @OregonGovBrown is gathering info on how that might happen.
"...Brown is seeking numbers of inmates in a variety of circumstances, from medically vulnerable to those approaching the end of their sentences." https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/gov-kate-brown-considering-early-release-of-oregon-prisoners-amid-coronavirus-spread.html
"...Brown is seeking numbers of inmates in a variety of circumstances, from medically vulnerable to those approaching the end of their sentences." https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/gov-kate-brown-considering-early-release-of-oregon-prisoners-amid-coronavirus-spread.html
To be clear, she's getting pushback. The Oregon District Attorneys Association released a statement (cited by @noellecrombie) saying "Such actions undermine truth in sentencing and discount the safety and security of victims who trusted in a sentence handed down by the court."
At the same time, 200+ inmates are being kept in prison months longer than planned. In an effort to keep #COVID19 out, the DOC banned all visitors. That shut down drug treatmen/other programs, through which inmates qualify for early release.
Christina Cobb called me crying.
Christina Cobb called me crying.
An advocate thought that was an oversight by the DOC, one they're working to fix. In an email to @MilaMimica1 a rep for the agency corrected him. She said they hope to get instructors back into prisons ASAP. Until then, release dates will indeed be delayed https://www.kgw.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/oregon-prison-aic-late-release-coronavirus/283-3d5cf2a8-e231-437d-aa41-73940c61dea3
