These days we are all worried about those most susceptible to the ravages of the COVID-19 virus. Especially the elderly and already sick, but also those on the daily line of fire like medical first responders and the countless essential workers still on the job.
But my e-mailbox is filling up with letters beseeching Americans not to forget the incarcerated who are locked up in jails and prisons.
These places are notoriously overcrowded and oftentimes operated in dilapidated and unsanitary conditions. There is no possibility for inmates to practice social distancing, to wash their hands at will or to possess a face mask. They are trapped in places that are notorious breeding grounds for germs.
Brendaly Segarra was one of many who wrote me to say, “We see commercials of animals in cages suffering and we are moved with compassion, but when it comes to inmates they are thrown away and people forget that they are human beings that are completely helpless.”
Cheryl Maddox told me about her son. “(He) only have five months left of a 5-year sentence. He has struggled to get to this point, and for them to knowingly allow him to be exposed to this virus is inhumane.”
Maddox and others who are related to imprisoned citizens believe incarceration during a ravaging pandemic amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. Indeed, prisoners have died in several states including, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Louisiana and in Washington, D.C.. If inmates are infected it is a safe bet guards will be too.
Death may soon be coming to a prison near you. Unlike the national response to COVID-19 there seems to be no uniform plan for dealing with this highly contagious disease in local and state jails and prisons.
Attorney General William Barr did recently write to the Federal Bureau of Prisons asking that more “at-risk inmates who are non-violent and pose minimal likelihood of recidivism” be released to home confinement. Barr listed a six bullet point guideline for release including the age, health and original crime of the prisoner. Sex offenders and violent inmates are not eligible for release.
But at the local and state level there has been a hodgepodge of court orders and scattershot prisoner releases some of which seem both ill-conceived and badly carried out.
Several states have decided to ease overpopulation by releasing inmates who could not afford bail and are incarcerated while awaiting trial or those deemed to be “low-level offenders.” There is evidence, however, that some decisions are being made on a defendant’s last arrest and without regard to their criminal history.
New York judges have granted coronavirus-related release to not one but two convicted cop killers.
In Florida, Joseph Williams, 26, was in jail after his arrest for possession of heroin, considered a third-degree felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. In the effort to mitigate the spread of the virus a state judge ordered county sheriffs to release any pretrial detainee arrested for a misdemeanor or third-degree felony.
The Hillsborough County jail released 164 prisoners, described by the Sheriff as being those with “the lowest public safety risk.” Joseph Williams was among them. One day later Williams was arrested again on suspicion of murder. Apparently, in the race to winnow inmate populations, Williams’ extensive criminal record, which included arrests on 35 charges, was either overlooked or considered unimportant.
We should all care about the treatment of prisoners since a vast majority of them will serve their time and reenter society. Certainly, they have been found guilty of crimes against their communities, but does that mean in addition to their incarceration they must stay trapped in a potentially deadly environment as well? Doesn’t someone who is non-violent, has behaved themselves in prison and has served a majority of their original sentence deserve to go home to their family to ride out this pandemic?
This ferocity of COVID-19 caught the world by surprise, but it is past time for each state to come up with a humane and sensible plan to safely deal with its incarcerated population, especially the elderly and ill. They all deserve plentiful hand sanitizers, protective masks and aggressive testing just like the rest of us.
Reader Doris writes:
Hi Diane,
Just wanted to say thank you for the article on inmates in today’s paper. I have a son in the system and yes we are worried. So far, so good. Never thought our family would be involved in the prison system but we are and sure opened my eyes. Your article was awesome and I hope people become more aware and take some action to make the whole system better for all. Thank you for your thoughts in print.
Reader Anonymous writes:
Hello Ms. Dimond,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vokFinexwHs
I’m sharing with you a video, posted by an inmate, showing the living conditions at Fort Dix Correctional Facility. It shows just what inmates there have been telling family members all along. It is impossible for them to practice social distancing with 100 men to one room and only 3 ft of space between their bunks. You will see the roof is caving in on them with the bathroom ceiling leaking and building material falling down. These are unbelievable living conditions that no human should have to live in. Fort Dix administration and BOP is slow moving and rather negligent in making releases, although they have been advised to, by Attorney General Barr in his April 3rd Memorandum. Multiple people showing symptoms are being isolated by the day at Fort Dix, but there are many others who are sick that remain in general population.
With 78,467 COVID-19 cases and 3,840 deaths, New Jersey is a known hotspot for the virus. Furthermore, prisons are known incubators for disease. The combination of the two could be detrimental to them – many of whom have undocumented, underlying health conditions.
It would be a huge help to them if you are able to bring attention to this video and their living conditions. The deteriorating building they are housed in, itself is a safety hazard to them. With your help, necessary attention could be brought in helping them get released to home confinement where they can be safer, and have the opportunity to practice social distancing to safeguard their health from the virus. Please consider bringing attention to how frightened they are and how frightened their loved ones’ are for them.
Fort Dix Correctional Facility Satellite Camp (where this video was taken) is a minimum security facility (the lowest level security in BOP). There is limited or no perimeter fencing, and the staff to inmate ratio is low given that the inmates are not viewed as imminent dangers to society; neither are they viewed as flight risks by BOP. They hold jobs off-site in the community which means there is a certain level of trust they have with BOP, and their surrounding community. This same trust should be given to them in releasing them to home confinement to shelter them from the spread of the virus inside prison.
Any help to bring attention to this would be very appreciated.
Thank you.
Reader Kurt K Guy writes:
The issue always becomes the process. Governments that are historically corrupt and incompetent cannot fairly and safely employ the non-violent act.
I’m from Chicago. Before this crisis the home monitoring and bail or no bail reform was a mess. Repeat offenders being released on I-bonds going back out and committing murder.
Than there is the fact these individuals could not comply with societies rules. What makes anyone believe that when they are released they will comply with a stay at home order? They’ve already proven they don’t follow laws. And most people incarcerated have a lengthy history.
Finally, how about the guards?
Government does not buy equipment or provide training until forced to. Again, in corrupt incompetent governments they see these costs as something to use elsewhere. Like connected peoples pockets.
“Cruel and unusual” would be to flood our streets with these individuals who don’t care about anyone, but themselves.
Reader R.Daneel.Olivaw@chaosisherenow writes:
In every prison that I’ve been to (and they are many) each cell or dormitory has lavatory facilities in it. (Exceptions exist in special lockdown cells)
And inmates readily re-purpose t-shirts, socks, and other items into protective personal gear when appropriate.
No sympathy
DD replies:
There are many prisons, jails and military lockups that don’t have individual cells. Bunks 3 ft apart, no social distancing possible. See this rare inside footage from Ft. Dix prison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vokFinexwHs
100 men to a room, stacked up. This is what the inside of many prisons looks like these days.
Reader talking7stick@samkennedy77 writes:
Malaria pills are cheap & it would seem there is an ample supply to dose all prisoners.
Reader Gail Peterson@gpgailmp writes:
Supposedly they’re already isolated. Seems like a no brainer. They’re safer in prison.
Reader Mary Raymond@MaryRay42617188 writes:
They can stay inside their cells and be led a few at a time for showers. Forget cafeterias and serve them meals at their cells. Exercise can damn well wait a while.
Reader TheEnglishPatriotPoet@english_poet writes:
Being in a restricted area away from the general public, shouldn’t they be safe anyway?
Reader J. Dalton Greene writes:
HAVE THE MILITARY build tents inside prison area.
ISOLATE every prisoner, ONE per cell.
LOCK THEM DOWN.
Keep them 10 ft apart for food service, back to isolation.
STOP LETTING CONVICTS OUT OF PRISON.
Reader Tim Morton writes:
Prisoners have RIGHTS! Right to stay in confinement! There’s your 6 feet plus!
Reader Carol Syracuse writes:
Oh poor baby!
Reader Anthony Pendleton writes:
Yes they do, but not at the expense of law abiding people! Medicate them in place!
Reader C G writes:
They put themselves in that bed. They can sleep in it.
Reader Jessie S writes:
Sadly releasing prisoners into our communities where they can’t find jobs and land many of them back in prison for desperate money issues. Is not the right action and poses a bigger risk of crime and infecting law abiding citizens. It’s better for them to stay in lockdown like the rest of us.
Reader Hope Conquers writes:
Such “compassion” for those who have failed to follow the rules of law. They are incarcerated in probably the best prisons in the world. They get good food, clothing, shelter, warmth. They can make their own masks and practice other safety protocols. Do we let our sailors off the ships because they are too crowded? Do we release all the military? Do we let all the nurse and doctors go home to practice being safe? I think the whole idea of this false compassion is based on a lack of love for others, especially those whose lives have been harmed by the criminals behind bars.
Reader Tim Steele writes:
“ incarceration during a ravaging pandemic amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.” Please!! I worked 31 years in state prisons in California.. Inmates are the single most vaccinated and medicated segment of humanity.. Ill tell you what’s cruel and unusual punishment, the time, money and heartbreak spent by law abiding citizen to arrest, charge, try and incarcerate the shit stains who simply can not live by any standards or rules.. Your pitty party piece is absurd, Sell crazy somewhere else..
DD replies to Tim Steele:
Lots of prisons, jails and military lockups are overcrowded, medicines and medical care is inadequate as is sanitation. Take a look at this rare inside video from Ft. Dix prison:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vokFinexwHs
100 men to a room, bunks 3 feet apart. Social distancing impossible. We know how contagious the virus is so its spread in a prison like this is inevitable. I think many people don’t realize what today’s prisons often look like inside. I encourage you to look at that link. ~DD
Reader H Strap writes:
Amen, do the crime, suffer the consequences. F’em.
Reader Elizabeth A. Benedetto writes:
The jails can keep hard core criminals (and God help the whistleblowers and thousands falsely accused in order to close cases conveniently, economically, expediently). Why not release drunks and drug addicts, prostitutes, parents behind in child support, parking violation debtors, and similar cases… millions across the Nation. They too have loved ones.
Reader Jim Reynolds writes:
EVERYONE deserves protection
Kurt K Guy replies to Jim Reynolds:
You’re right, the question is how to do it safely. The High Costs of Good Intentions …a great read.
Reader Dave Montes writes:
All I can say is this. One of the release coved-19 prisoners just stabbed and killed one of my cousins. He died yesterday. So, I’m not too sympathetic over criminals who chose to commit their crimes on victims who had no choice.
Diane Dimond replies:
OMG, Dave Montes, I am so very sorry to hear this.
Reader Mark Godbey writes:
(Isolation) Impossible in 2 man cells, and dormitories probably impossible.
Reader Drew Rutberg writes:
By law convicted prisoners are the property of the state no different than a car or a desk. I guess the answer depends on your definition of cruel and unusual punishment
Diane Dimond replies to Drew Rutberg:
….Or your definition of humanity vs. a piece of furniture. To me there is no comparison.
Reader Roy Palmer writes:
Do they crime. pay a bad price. Punishment they need and not freedom.
Reader Nancy Spieker Robel writes:
I don’t think they should be released. The Dept. Of Corrections must respond the same way the rest of us are. They must use the huge exercise yard and other areas to construct temporary secure shelters to distance the prisoners. They stay inside the prison but healthier adjustments are made according to their offenses. Sorry, the murderers stay in. Not everyone dies from this virus. Give them immunity boost vitamins-C, D, A. It is not humane to allow violent criminals out to wreak havoc on law abiding citizens who are already traumatized by the consequences of this virus. Local jails can be assessed the same way.
Reader Richard Hydell writes:
Not a person male or female or whatever else their might be if the made a violent crime or any one who stole anything from anyone. No way let them OUT .
Reader Diana Graetz writes:
I took notice to the segment in the article regarding animals being placed in unfavorable conditions and how humans are sympathetic to their plight. The article went further in questioning how we can take sympathy for animals but not for other human beings?
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that animals are placed in those conditions at no fault/choice of their own. Humans on the other hand who are incarcerated made choices/decisions that put them behind bars and quite frankly I have no sympathy for them!!
Reader Patti Knowles writes:
Definitely time to release victimless and low level crimes and marijuana offenders ! The really bad guys need to stay right where they are!
Reader Al Guart writes:
Yes. Give inmates masks, gloves and disinfectants to clean their environs.
Reader Bill Voinovich writes:
Even so, then why are they choosing to release dangerous felons back onto the streets & almost IMMEDIATELY, they revert back to their street behavior & either KILL, RAPE, or ROB somebody??
Find SOMEPLACE to stuff them & keep US safe from THEM…..
Reader Betty Jo Montgomery replies to Bill Voinovich:
Why do you assume they’re all violent killers ??? Lots of low level inmates inside prison. They weren’t given the death penalty. But typical of people assuming they’re all bad. They have families who love them and want them to come home healthy one day. But let’s open our borders to let illegals in who could be hardened criminals and hand them my hard earned money. Let’s stuff them somewhere!!! Like back to where they came from!! Release the sick and elderly from prison!!
Reader Jesse McGraw writes:
I am in daily contact with men and women behind the razor wire, and the sheer indifference to these citizens by this draconian machine is absolutely REPULSIVE and criminal.
Reader Catherine Whitney writes:
I agree in principle, but we need to apply some kind of equal standard. Today I heard calls for Madoff, Cosby, Manafort, and Roger Stone to be released for their own safety, and I couldn’t help but think of how many poor minority prisoners have no such advocacy. Of course, there are many categories of nonviolent crimes, including drug offenses, so let’s apply an equitable standard. If we just end up releasing a lot of rich, connected people, that would miss the whole point. By the way, Cosby’s advocates were characterizing him as “non-violent.” Not in my book.