**MEDIA ADVISORY**
August 31, 2022
Contact: Yonah Zeitz – 347-201-2768 – yonah@katalcenter.org
Follow online: #FreeThemNowCT | www.katalcenter.org
Families, Community Groups, and Directly Impacted People Protest Outside DOC Headquarters to Demand Governor and DOC Protect Incarcerated People from COVID-19
Hartford, CT – On Wednesday, September 7 at 11:00 AM, family members of incarcerated people, community groups, and impacted people will gather at the Department of Corrections (DOC) Headquarters in Wethersfield to demand the Governor Lamont and the DOC develop a substantive plan to protect incarcerated people from COVID-19. Since the pandemic began, nearly 9,500 incarcerated people have tested positive for the virus, equaling over 90% of the entire state jail and prison population. To date, 30 people have died in DOC custody due to the virus. This is unacceptable, especially in the wake of other public health emergencies that will disproportionately impact incarcerated people. Without addressing COVID-19 in jails and prisons, Governor Lamont is continuing to subject incarcerated people to heightened risk of illness and death.
- WHAT: #FreeThemNowCT Protest
- WHEN: Wednesday, September 7 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- WHERE: 24 Wolcott Hill Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109
- WHO: Katal Center, Community Members, Families, Directly Impacted People, and other community groups
- WATCH LIVE ON INSTAGRAM: @katalcenter
Background: COVID-19 cases are continuing to spread throughout correctional facilities in Connecticut. Since the onset of the pandemic, public health experts have repeatedly maintained that the number one way to protect incarcerated people and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is to decarcerate. Over two years into the pandemic, Governor Lamont has failed to address the crisis in prisons and jails, leaving incarcerated people in harm’s way. Without action from the Governor, COVID-19 will continue to spread throughout Connecticut jails and prisons, disproportionately impacting Black, brown, and poor people.
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