Photo Courtesy of Assemblyman Weprin’s Office
“The State cannot simply forget about its incarcerated population. This is not right and must change,” Assemblyman Weprin said.
By Forum Staff
A broad coalition of elected officials, family members of the incarcerated, and criminal justice advocates on Friday called for increased attention to the state’s incarcerated population during the COVID- 19 crisis.
With a recently reported rise in individuals testing positive for COVID-19 in a number of correctional facilities across NY, the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision must take critical actions and any and all necessary steps to safeguard the incarcerated, correctional staff, and the communities surrounding prisons from the novel coronavirus prior to the anticipated second wave of the pandemic, according to Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Richmond Hill) and State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda (D-Bronx).
Weprin, Sepúlveda, and advocates demanded Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended testing and mitigation efforts be implemented in lieu of the practice of isolating incarcerated individuals suspected of being exposed to COVID-19, flu vaccinations be made available for individuals requesting one, and preparations be made to preserve visitation across all of the state’s 52 facilities.
Due to a lack of testing in March, April, May, and June, DOCCS does not have an accurate representation of the infection rate in State correctional facilities, Weprin and Sepúlveda noted; DOCCS failed to provide a comprehensive plan to address the real health threat to incarcerated people from the beginning of the pandemic. DOCCS needs to make clear, transparent, and public plans for testing, health, and safety of those incarcerated and for open and safe family visitation protocols, the pols added.
“We are here today in support of the family members and loved ones of incarcerated individuals, who, through no fault of their own, are facing the brunt of the effect of the spread of COVID-19 in the State’s prisons while attempting to maintain contact with their loved ones through the pandemic. Reports of visitors facing punitive treatment during visits, incarcerated individuals facing punishment and/or isolation as a result of a visit from a family member, and finally suspensions of visiting due to large outbreaks in upstate facilities, are incredibly troubling to hear about, absolutely inhumane, and frankly preventable with a solid plan and effort to contain COVID-19,” said Weprin, chairman of the Correction Committee. “We need testing and tracing, availability of flu vaccinations, and a lack of a suspension of visiting in these facilities. The State cannot simply forget about its incarcerated population. This is not right and must change.”
Sepúlveda, chairman of the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections, added, “DOCCS must develop a comprehensive plan to provide for widespread COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and flu vaccinations within correctional facilities. Mass testing and contact tracing will keep both the incarcerated population as well as Correction staff safe and healthy. It will also allow facilities without active COVID-19 cases to continue family visitations safely, a practice that is so valuable to both the incarcerated population and their families. As this pandemic has left so many families in complete disarray, open communication with loved ones will help decrease recidivism and boost morale.”
