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NEW: We just released a new model with academic partners showing that COVID-19 could claim the lives of approximately 100,000 more people than current projections stipulate if jail populations are not dramatically and immediately reduced. https://www.aclu.org/news/smart-justice/new-model-shows-reducing-jail-population-will-lower-covid-19-death-toll-for-all-of-us/?initms_aff=nat&initms_chan=soc&utm_medium=soc&initms=200422_covid_covidjails_tw&utm_source=tw&utm_campaign=covid&utm_content=200422_criminallaw_covidjails&ms_aff=nat&ms_chan=soc&ms=200422_covid_covidjails_tw
Mass incarceration was a major public health crisis before the outbreak of COVID-19, but this pandemic has pushed it past the breaking point.
This data is a wakeup call to the true cost and impact of mass incarceration, which disproportionately falls on communities of color.
This data is a wakeup call to the true cost and impact of mass incarceration, which disproportionately falls on communities of color.
Our country is the largest incarcerator in the world, with just 4% of the world's population and 21% of its incarcerated population.
There are almost 740,000 people in jail on any given day — a person is admitted every three seconds.
There are almost 740,000 people in jail on any given day — a person is admitted every three seconds.
Our model found that implementing swift, bold reforms to reduce arrests by 50% can save 12,000 lives in jails and 47,000 lives in the surrounding communities.
The revolving doors of jails make them a tinderbox for COVID-19 spread.
Even if communities continue practicing social distancing and follow public health guidelines, we will still experience much higher death rates if no substantial action is taken to reduce jail populations.
Even if communities continue practicing social distancing and follow public health guidelines, we will still experience much higher death rates if no substantial action is taken to reduce jail populations.
States that have begun to reduce their jail populations are quantifiably saving lives.
Colorado, for example, has so far achieved a 31% reduction in jail population.
Our model found this likely will save 1,100 lives — reducing total lives lost in the state by 25%.
Colorado, for example, has so far achieved a 31% reduction in jail population.
Our model found this likely will save 1,100 lives — reducing total lives lost in the state by 25%.
Let's be clear: Every day that goes by without action means more people will die.
Delaying action for even a week could mean a difference of 18,000 lives lost in our country.
Delaying action for even a week could mean a difference of 18,000 lives lost in our country.
To prevent this, we and our affiliates have filed over 25 legal actions to reduce populations in detention centers, prisons, and jails.
We're pressuring governors to adopt our model executive order and for prosecutors and sheriffs to reduce jail and prison populations.
We're pressuring governors to adopt our model executive order and for prosecutors and sheriffs to reduce jail and prison populations.
And to remember and honor those lost to COVID-19 in prisons and jails, we are memorializing their names.
We're asking you to add names or information of any friends, family, and community members that you know have died behind bars because of COVID-19
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bTMdmt2IG2UrRDcDhKK2ws_ZS-sXqDsPMVC_2SDb3Lw/edit?usp=sharing
We're asking you to add names or information of any friends, family, and community members that you know have died behind bars because of COVID-19
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bTMdmt2IG2UrRDcDhKK2ws_ZS-sXqDsPMVC_2SDb3Lw/edit?usp=sharing
At least 16,000 people have been released from jails and prisons or never brought into the criminal legal system in the first place due to our work.
Read about the model we released today and what must be done to save lives: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/new-model-shows-covid-19-death-toll-100000-higher-current-projections?initms_aff=nat&initms_chan=soc&utm_medium=soc&initms=200422_covid_covidjails_tw&utm_source=tw&utm_campaign=covid&utm_content=200422_criminallaw_covidjails&ms_aff=nat&ms_chan=soc&ms=200422_covid_covidjails_tw
Read about the model we released today and what must be done to save lives: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/new-model-shows-covid-19-death-toll-100000-higher-current-projections?initms_aff=nat&initms_chan=soc&utm_medium=soc&initms=200422_covid_covidjails_tw&utm_source=tw&utm_campaign=covid&utm_content=200422_criminallaw_covidjails&ms_aff=nat&ms_chan=soc&ms=200422_covid_covidjails_tw
