State must do more to protect inmates

After reading the article about the second case of a prisoner testing positive for coronavirus as well as three correctional staff, I’m left horrified about the possibility of a widespread infection of this the virus among people who can’t practice social distancing.

Both of the incarcerated people were located in two different buildings with no apparent contact. One of them actually shared a cell with another. How bad does this have to get before Gov. Ned Lamont and other leadership take responsible action?

As a clinical social worker I am extremely concerned about the slow release of people who pose no real threat to public safety and the criteria being utilized to make decisions about who will be released, and horrified at the fact that those who become ill and anyone newly entering the system will be held in isolation for at least 14 days, which the international community has stated is a form of torture. Isolation breeds mental illness. It is a public health issue just as the spread of this virus.

Because transparency has not been a strong point for Corrections, I am concerned about what “quarantine spaces” look like. According to a project on Yale Lowenstein Clinic website, 3,498 people are within 30 days of the end of their sentence and 3,922 within 90 days. The question becomes, why are they not the first people to be released? If they are safe to release in 30 to 90 days, why are they being held in custody when they could be home with their families alleviating unnecessary anxiety about becoming infected?

In addition there are 3,278 accused and unsentenced. Lamont states he wants to make sure released people have homes to go to and employment . Really? During a pandemic and recession, we are concerned about jobs?

Responsible release of prisoners to avoid infections could include furloughs, home confinement and bail reductions, making spaces available for those who become ill and can’t be released. Proactive measures can be made to support human dignity and human compassion for all people. Isolating sick people adds to their anxieties.

So many of us have pleaded for compassionate responses during this crisis and our cries seem to fall on deaf ears. Lamont, who stated he spends over 80 percent of his time in his home safely with his family, obviously understands best practices during this pandemic. We need him to allow others to do the same for others whenever possible.