⏩ Faith leaders seek help from Lamont on prison virus crisis.

NEW HAVEN — More than 70 clergy from various denominations have sent a letter to Gov. Ned Lamont asking that he reduce the prison population in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, characterizing it as a “profoundly moral and ethical issue. “

The letter follows the decision of U.S. District Judge Janet Arterton, who ruled that the ACLU of Connecticut’s class-action suit against Lamont and Department of Correction

Commissioner Rollin Cook on the prison issue can proceed due to the “life-anddeath consequences at stake.”

Calling the prisons a “petri dish,” they pointed out that COVID-19 has infected some 598 prisoners and 369 staff , while 6 prisoners have died.

Others who already have shared this message with the governor include Yale University faculty, Stop Solitary CT, Katal, the CT Bail Fund and Smart Justice.

The clergy offered several options they want to see put into effect immediately:

— Reduce the state’s prison population, freeing the hundreds, even thousands, who safely could be released: older and medically at-risk individuals, those who are pretrial, those close to the end of their sentence, those being held for minor, nonviolent offenses simply because they can’t afford bail.

— Immediately discontinue transfer of COVID-19positive persons to Northern Correctional Institution and only utilize medical facilities or isolated housing units to treat COVID-positive individuals. Solitary confinement must not be confused with or used for medical isolation.

— Ensure that all staff and incarcerated individuals have access to sufficient supplies of soap, hand sanitizer, water for handwashing, and appropriate PPE, without charge.

They thanked the governor for deciding to test all prisoners and those those who work in the prisons.

“But that is not nearly enough. You can and must do more. This is a public health crisis necessitating immediate action. And this is a profoundly moral and ethical issue.” they wrote.

“We speak from the moral perspective, advocating for the rights, dignity, and humanity of every person, all children of God. Incarceration must not degrade the humanity of those doing time or endanger their lives. Prisons and jails are the most dangerous place to be during a pandemic. There is no possibility for social distancing, access to healthcare is inadequate, conditions are filthy, and dehumanization and abuse are widespread. The current situation in CT’s prisons is unconscionable,” the letter reads.

“The welfare of those in our state prisons, both those incarcerated and those who work there, requires you to act now. Indeed, the welfare of all in our state requires you to act now in this regard. When you do, we as faith leaders, along with others and, above all, with the families of those incarcerated, will support you,” they promised.