In recent posts here and here, I have rounded up just some of the many headlines and news stories that detail how coronavirus cases among inmates and staff are impacting jails and prisons nationwide. As we close out March, another round-up of these stories proves even more discouraging with news of ever-growing numbers of cases in ever-growing numbers of facilities. Here is just a sampling of headlines as of mid-afternoon Monday March 31:
California: “Four inmates, 18 workers in California prisons have tested positive for coronavirus“
Connecticut: “Connecticut prisoner tests positive for COVID-19 virus“
Georgia: “Coronavirus is spreading in Georgia prisons“
Illinois: “1st Illinois prison inmate dies of COVID-19, health officials say“
Maryland: “Maryland prison system confirms first coronavirus cases“
Massachusetts: “17 inmates, 4 staff test positive for coronavirus at Bridgewater prison“
Minnesota: “First COVID-19 case found in Minnesota prison system“
New York: “Rikers doc: DAs fail to recognize ‘public health disaster’ of coronavirus“
Ohio: “First Positive COVID-19 Test at an Ohio Prison is Worse Than it Seems“
Texas: “Bowie County Judge confirms 2 jail employees test positive for COVID-19“