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U.S. Prison Population Remained Stable as Pandemic Grew U.S. Prison Population Remained Stable as Pandemic Grew
(3 days later)
The United States prison population remained stable in the early months of the year, decreasing by just 1.6 percent from January through March even as prisons emerged as incubators for the spread of Covid-19, according to a report released on Thursday.The United States prison population remained stable in the early months of the year, decreasing by just 1.6 percent from January through March even as prisons emerged as incubators for the spread of Covid-19, according to a report released on Thursday.
The prison population in five states — Idaho, Iowa, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming — was larger on March 31 than it was at the end of 2019, according to the study.The prison population in five states — Idaho, Iowa, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming — was larger on March 31 than it was at the end of 2019, according to the study.
The report, which looked at shifts in the numbers of inmates in the federal prison system and in 44 states’ prisons, was produced by the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit research organization.The report, which looked at shifts in the numbers of inmates in the federal prison system and in 44 states’ prisons, was produced by the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit research organization.
The steepest reduction was recorded in Vermont, where the prison population declined by 11.6 percent between Jan. 1 and March 31, followed by North Dakota and Oregon, where the number of prison inmates dropped by 9.8 percent and 8.3 percent. The smallest declines were in South Dakota, whose prison population dropped by 0.3 percent, and in Massachusetts and Ohio, whose declines were too small to register as percentages, according to the report.The steepest reduction was recorded in Vermont, where the prison population declined by 11.6 percent between Jan. 1 and March 31, followed by North Dakota and Oregon, where the number of prison inmates dropped by 9.8 percent and 8.3 percent. The smallest declines were in South Dakota, whose prison population dropped by 0.3 percent, and in Massachusetts and Ohio, whose declines were too small to register as percentages, according to the report.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons released 300 people in the first three months of 2020, for a decline in its population of 0.2 percent. The report covers the period through the end of March and has only limited data for April, when Covid-19 cases surged across the country, in many prisons and jails among other places.The Federal Bureau of Prisons released 300 people in the first three months of 2020, for a decline in its population of 0.2 percent. The report covers the period through the end of March and has only limited data for April, when Covid-19 cases surged across the country, in many prisons and jails among other places.
“It was only after it was totally clear that prisons were a hot spot for the coronavirus that states began to take action,” Jacob Kang-Brown, a senior research associate at the Vera Institute and the report’s lead author, said on Thursday. “They ignored recommendations of public health officials, and they obviously need to do something to adjust during the crisis.”“It was only after it was totally clear that prisons were a hot spot for the coronavirus that states began to take action,” Jacob Kang-Brown, a senior research associate at the Vera Institute and the report’s lead author, said on Thursday. “They ignored recommendations of public health officials, and they obviously need to do something to adjust during the crisis.”
The Vera Institute study looked only at state and federal prisons. It did not include data from local jails, which have released larger numbers of people during the pandemic.The Vera Institute study looked only at state and federal prisons. It did not include data from local jails, which have released larger numbers of people during the pandemic.
Differences between the jail and prison populations may account for some of that discrepancy. People who are serving time in prison have generally been found guilty of serious crimes, while jails house people who have been convicted of less serious crimes and those who are awaiting trial and cannot afford, or have been denied, bail. Vermont has a unified prison and jail system, which might have affected its large decline, the report noted.Differences between the jail and prison populations may account for some of that discrepancy. People who are serving time in prison have generally been found guilty of serious crimes, while jails house people who have been convicted of less serious crimes and those who are awaiting trial and cannot afford, or have been denied, bail. Vermont has a unified prison and jail system, which might have affected its large decline, the report noted.
The inability to maintain social distance and a lack of hygiene products increase the risk that prisons and jails will be hit hard by a second wave of the virus, said Kevin Ring, the president of FAMM, a nonprofit group that opposes mandatory minimum sentences.The inability to maintain social distance and a lack of hygiene products increase the risk that prisons and jails will be hit hard by a second wave of the virus, said Kevin Ring, the president of FAMM, a nonprofit group that opposes mandatory minimum sentences.
“Some prisons have been lucky to get soap or hand sanitizer,” Mr. Ring said. “In other areas of life, government actors have taken extraordinary measures,” such as mandating the closing of nonessential businesses.“Some prisons have been lucky to get soap or hand sanitizer,” Mr. Ring said. “In other areas of life, government actors have taken extraordinary measures,” such as mandating the closing of nonessential businesses.
It is not possible to eliminate the coronavirus without making prisons part of the solution, Mr. Ring said. A corrections officer who becomes infected at work could spread the virus in the community, he said.It is not possible to eliminate the coronavirus without making prisons part of the solution, Mr. Ring said. A corrections officer who becomes infected at work could spread the virus in the community, he said.
“Prison health is public health,” Mr. Ring said.“Prison health is public health,” Mr. Ring said.
But there is resistance to releasing prison inmates because of a fear that they will commit crimes after they are set free, said John Pfaff, a professor at Fordham Law School.But there is resistance to releasing prison inmates because of a fear that they will commit crimes after they are set free, said John Pfaff, a professor at Fordham Law School.
“Governors are all afraid that is what will happen,” Mr. Pfaff said. “For most governors, it is better to have 20 coronavirus deaths in prison than to have one furloughed inmate commit a crime.”“Governors are all afraid that is what will happen,” Mr. Pfaff said. “For most governors, it is better to have 20 coronavirus deaths in prison than to have one furloughed inmate commit a crime.”
It has been easier for jails to release inmates during the pandemic because they have a higher turnover rate, with people coming in after being charged with a variety of lower-level offenses, according to Douglas Berman, a law professor at Ohio State University.It has been easier for jails to release inmates during the pandemic because they have a higher turnover rate, with people coming in after being charged with a variety of lower-level offenses, according to Douglas Berman, a law professor at Ohio State University.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“There are less going in because of Covid, and they have more of an openness to getting people out,” Mr. Berman said. “It is politically and socially easier.”“There are less going in because of Covid, and they have more of an openness to getting people out,” Mr. Berman said. “It is politically and socially easier.”
Dr. Kang-Brown of the Vera Institute said that the lack of movement in the prison population reflected the country’s appetite for mass incarceration and that more care should be shown for the health of inmates, corrections officers and the communities where prisons operate.Dr. Kang-Brown of the Vera Institute said that the lack of movement in the prison population reflected the country’s appetite for mass incarceration and that more care should be shown for the health of inmates, corrections officers and the communities where prisons operate.
“No state has shown that dramatic commitment to the care and concern for others that is needed in this moment,” he said. “We should be doing much more than this. It is an urgent public health issue. We should be saving lives.”“No state has shown that dramatic commitment to the care and concern for others that is needed in this moment,” he said. “We should be doing much more than this. It is an urgent public health issue. We should be saving lives.”