Rounding up some carceral headlines and stories as COVID continues

With other criminal justice news grabbing more headlines these days, it is dangerously easy to forget the dire realities that persist as incarceration nation continues to confront a coronavirus pandemic.  Here is a quick round-up of some recent headlines and stories to remind everyone that this tale is still unfolding in many particulars:

From CorrectionsOne, "COVID-19 cases continue to climb at Wash. state prison"

From KQED, "As COVID-19 Surges Through Prisons, Guards and Inmates Sue"

From the Los Angeles Times, "Nearly 1,000 infected at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison in worst coronavirus outbreak to hit prison system"

From the Marion Star, "North Central officer: Private Ohio prison is a 'powder keg' amid coronavirus pandemic"

From The Marshall Project, "Jails Are Coronavirus Hotbeds. How Many People Should Be Released To Slow The Spread?: As officials cut jail populations, researchers and advocates explore what more can be done."

From McClatchy DC, "‘Mommy, I’m in so much pain:’ Florida prisoners write home about COVID-19 ordeals"

From Newsweek, "'Tiger King' Star Says Medical Mistreatment in Prison Will Kill Him in 2-3 Months"

From NPR, "COVID-19 Inside Arkansas Prisons: Virus Spreads Through Inmate Populations and Staff"

From the Texas Tribune, "Inmates report dangerous practices inside the Texas prison with the most coronavirus deaths"

From U Chicago News, "Study: Nearly 16% of Illinois COVID-19 cases linked to spread from Chicago jail"

From USA Today, "Coronavirus was Paul Manafort's ticket home. Many other old, ill, nonviolent inmates are still in prison"

 

While the 11 pieces above report mostly disconcerting news, I will finish here with two pieces reporting more hopeful news from two states:

From the Detroit Free-Press, "Michigan prison population sees record drop during coronavirus pandemic"

From the Lexington Herald-Leader, "Thousands were freed from Kentucky jails to avoid COVID-19. Few have re-offended."