Los Angeles inmates have been caught on camera sharing cups of hot water and coughing into a shared mask in attempts to catch or feign Covid-19. In an interview with L.A sheriffs Alex Villanueva and assistant Brett Chase, a rumor was revealed that inmates were trying to contract the virus so it would “force their hand” and pressure them to be released. In response to the pandemic, the head of correctional health services, Jackie Clark, requested virtual court hearings, testing for vulnerable inmates, and reducing the flow of inmates into the prison system. In addition, Villanueva had reduced the prison population from about 17,000 total to 11,723 inmates. However, to releasing prisoners, Villanueva says it’s “not gonna happen.” None of the inmates captured on film have been released.
To the Inmate’s Defense
While this small group of L.A prisoners were wrongfully spreading the coronavirus, some activists have come to the defense of inmates in L.A prisons. Lawsuits have exposed information that the prisons do not have enough space to maintain social distancing, nor enough soap or a safe way to dry off their hands. Activist Patrisse Cullors accuses sheriff Villanueva of “taking a page right out of Trump’s playbook and gaslighting those who are already vulnerable and in absolute fear,” she goes on to say, “Contrary to the sheriff’s allegations, what I’ve been hearing from prisoners is that there isn’t enough soap, there is no hot water, that sheriff's deputies are taunting folks inside by coughing in their presence, telling them they’re gonna die of COVID.”
It is worth noting that Villanueva is quoted from May of 2020, “... there was some mistaken belief among the inmate population that if they tested positive that there was a way to force our hand and somehow release more inmates out of our jail environment, and that’s not gonna happen.” However as mentioned before, he and the county did in fact reduce the prison population by about 5,000 inmates, contrary to his strong and angered words. This is fortunate for him as an email is available to the public from two months prior, March 12, 2020, from the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation addressed to Villanueva, Chase, and Clark encouraging the immediate release of vulnerable prisoners and others. However details of those 5,000 released inmates such as their vulnerability is unavailable.
Other Prisons in the U.S
Jackie Clark, head of correctional health services, has in fact encouraged L.A inmates to wear masks constantly, even going as far as advising they wear face coverings in their sleep. While at first this may sound extreme, within the context it does seem necessary. As of September 8th 2020 there are 94,918 incarcerated persons in California’s prisons, a 19,828 reduction since March 12, 2020. Yet despite this reduction, as of September 9th 2020 there are currently 1,379 incarcerated persons and 1,353 active staff cases of Covid-19 in California, with only 19 incarcerated persons receiving medical care outside of the prisons statewide. One has to wonder if all necessary precautions are really being made.
For example one may bring up Oregon. Citizens of Ontario, Oregon spoke out about concerns regarding prison guards seemingly negligent to Covid-19 precautions, openly maskless and not social distancing. In comparison to California’s 94,918 incarcerated peoples, Oregon only has 13,484 as of September 1st 2020. However while California decreased by 19,828 prisoners since March, Oregon has only decreased by 951. In Oregon there are currently 829 confirmed inmate cases total, active and recovered. Among them 601 recovered and 6 dead. Yet despite this and visitors to the prison complaining about the lack of social distancing and mask-wearing among the prison guards, no change seems to have been made.
In Conclusion
It is easy for one to overlook what does not directly affect them. Yes, it was irresponsible to purposely spread Covid-19 and those involved should be held responsible. Roughly 30 cases were a result of their behavior. But no one knows exactly how the virus managed to make it to the facility, and it shouldn’t have to begin with. Looking at other prisons one may find poor living conditions, an inability to social distance, lack of soap or water, and even blatant disregard for the virus in officers and guards who refuse to wear masks. Committing a crime makes no one less human, and we as a nation need to take better care of these people.
Sources:
The Independent: L.A Prisoners Filmed…
Los Angeles Times: L.A County Jail Inmates…
PDF of email to Alex Villanueva, Ben Chase, and Jackie Clark
Ontario, Oregon Prison Guards Without Masks…
California Department of… : Covid-19 Preparedness
Oregon.Gov: Covid-19 Status
Oregon Prison Population Trends