CORONAVIRUS IN JAILS AND PRISONS
COVID-19 and Criminal Justice … An Inmate ’ s Perspective
As we are routinely updated with information and recommendations on how to combat the deadly COVID-19 virus in our schools , retail sectors , large gathering spaces , and entertainment venues , we have had extraordinarily little discussion on the impact of the virus upon a significant vulnerable population , the incarcerated .
In our courtrooms , government buildings , and other venues where legal business is conducted , we are required to social distance via Zoom hearings for court and mediation proceedings , and if we are permitted to attend in person , we must wear a mask and adhere to CDC protocols . However , the safeguards in our local jails vary significantly , resulting in serious health risks to this vulnerable population .
According to the Sarasota County Sheriff ’ s Office website , as of September 28 , 2021 : since the beginning of the pandemic , the jail has reported 216 active COVID-19 cases . The total inmate population is 986 . Currently there are four housing units in isolation ( out of 42 ). There have been six hospitalizations since the beginning of the pandemic . There have been zero deaths and 888 vaccinations have been administered to inmates , of which 225 are fully vaccinated .
Regarding mask protocols in the Sarasota County Jail , all inmates are issued masks and staff wear masks “ when in close contact with inmates .” There is no mask requirement for Sarasota County employees or jail personnel or contract employees ( e . g ., medical personnel , service providers , etc .). Mask wearing for visitors is encouraged , but not required . Only citizens seeking fingerprint services are required to wear masks .
The Manatee County Sheriff ’ s Office website has no COVID-19 protocols or jail statistics on its website . However , according to a September 5 , 2021 article in The Bradenton Herald , the Manatee County Sheriff ’ s Office put the jail on lockdown on August 18 , 2021 “ to attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus .” See “ Covid outbreak at Manatee County Jail continues to grow despite partial lockdown .” September 5 , 2021 , By Jessica De Leon . At that time , seventy-five inmates and nineteen deputies and civilian employees who work at the jail had COVID-19 . As of September 5 , 2021 , 137 inmates and fifteen deputies and civilian staffers were out on COVID leave . Two inmates were hospitalized , and one corrections deputy has died , after being hospitalized for 2 weeks . To date , 177 Manatee County inmates have contracted the virus ; forty-six employees are out on leave ; and 379 employees have tested positive for the virus .
In addition to the obvious health risks to this population , from a legal standpoint , there are far greater consequences from a civil rights standpoint . Where lockdowns and quarantines are in effect , inmate contact with their attorneys is restricted to video conferencing or telephone . Inmates are not transported from the jails to court for hearings and are forced to appear electronically . When the facilities are on lockdown , inmate visitation is prohibited .
The newly formed SRQ Coalition for Justice is demanding more transparency from the two counties on current conditions and preventative protocols at both jails . The Coalition is a collaboration of The Leader ’ s Rights Organizations & Affiliates , Women ’ s Voices of Southwest Florida , Black Lives Matter Manasota , Party for Socialism and Liberation , and ANSWER Suncoast .
Inmates at the Manatee County Jail have reported to the Coalition that “ their COVID symptoms have gone ignored and that they have not received proper treatment .” At the Sarasota County Jail , inmates have reported “ no access to hand sanitizer , being denied COVID testing , and inadequate access to PPE ( personal protective equipment ).” Further , inmates have described staff as being “ indifferent to protocols , with some employees coming to work at the jail with known COVID-19 symptoms .”
The Coalition has requested that both sheriffs provide a daily report , similar to a COVID-19 Dashboard provided by the Florida Health Department , which includes a report with accurate and current information on 1 ) the total number of positive inmate cases at each jail ; 2 ) the number of new cases ; 3 ) the protocol and number of hospitalized inmates ; 4 ) the number of pods and staff in quarantine or lockdown status ; 5 ) the number of staff refusing to wear masks ; 6 ) the number of staff that have tested positive for the virus ; and 7 ) the number of staff and civilian employees in quarantine .
See INMATES , Page 28
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