Wednesday, March 25th, 2020
Contact: Yan Snead, ysnead@katalcenter.org | (518) 360-1534
Follow on Twitter @KatalCenter #FreeThemAll
As COVID-19 Crisis Grows in CT Prisons and Jails, Governor Lamont Refuses Taking Actions To Save Lives
Thursday 3/26 – 3 pm: Digital Press Conference
Community Groups, Faith Leaders, Lawmakers Respond to Gov. Lamont, Demand Action in Face of Growing COVID19 Crisis in CT Prisons and Jails
Register here: https://bit.ly/CT-COVID-Prisons-Presser
Hartford, CT – On Thursday, March 26th at 3pm, directly impacted members of the community, juvenile justice advocates, faith leaders, and lawmakers will convene for a digital press conference to discuss the COVID-19 public health crisis in Connecticut prisons. Directly impacted people, constituents, and lawmakers have demanded that people be released from jails and prisons in the face of the COVID-19 crisis (examples here and here). Yet, as reported on March 24th in the CT Mirror, Gov. Lamont has responded to these demands by refusing to release people – substantially increasing the likelihood of spread and death by COVID-19 in state jails and prisons.
Jails and prisons are notorious incubators of contagions, due to close quarters and unsanitary conditions, making it impossible for people inside to effectively follow the CDC guidelines of social distancing and regularly washing hands and sanitizing in order to prevent the spread. Both New Jersey and New York have begun releasing people from jails and prisons to mitigate the spread, and around the country, other counties and states are doing the same, including those in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Washington State, and more. Release of people from jails and prisons – like those detained pretrial, those detained on technical violations of probation or parole, elders and the sick, and those close to the end of their sentences — is a critical step in stemming the spread of the COVID-19 and protecting the health and well-being of individuals incarcerated, correction officers, and everyone within the state.
WHAT: Digital Press Conference with directly impacted constituents, faith leaders, advocates, and lawmakers
WHEN: Thursday, March 25, 2020 | 3-4pm
WHERE: Zoom Video/Call: Register here: https://bit.ly/CT-COVID-Prisons-Presser
WHO: Senator Gary Winfield (D- New Haven), Chair of the Judiciary Committee; Cherell Banks, Katal Member; Joshua Frazer, Katal Member; Virginia Rodriguez, Katal Member; Stop Solitary CT; Christina Quantara, Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance; Dwayne David Paul, Collaborative Center for Justice.
Reporters seeking interviews with the speakers, or details about the press conference, can contact Yan Snead at ysnead@katalcenter.org | (518) 360-1534.
###
