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| Former inmate reunited with family |
| Inmates enter San Quentin Prison |
Thousands of inmates are currently being released from prisons all over America to slow
the spread of the coronavirus in case it enters these facilities. Social distancing is difficult
when incarcerated in an overcrowded prison, so health experts and politicians are taking
these preemptive measures for the collective safety of all prisoners and prison workers.
Those who are nonviolent offenders, disabled, possibly sick, or have health conditions that
put them at severe risk are candidates for release. Recently, Governor Newsom announced
the release of 3,500 carefully selected prisoners in California during April and May, along with
many other states. However, critics of release fear these inmates are potentially dangerous,
proven when one Florida man committed murder a day after his early release.
the spread of the coronavirus in case it enters these facilities. Social distancing is difficult
when incarcerated in an overcrowded prison, so health experts and politicians are taking
these preemptive measures for the collective safety of all prisoners and prison workers.
Those who are nonviolent offenders, disabled, possibly sick, or have health conditions that
put them at severe risk are candidates for release. Recently, Governor Newsom announced
the release of 3,500 carefully selected prisoners in California during April and May, along with
many other states. However, critics of release fear these inmates are potentially dangerous,
proven when one Florida man committed murder a day after his early release.
Many ex-inmates are ecstatic to be reunited with their families during this dreadful time, but
some are alone and lack a home to shelter in. Advocates of mass release worry that the nature
of our new shelter-in-place world will hinder ex-inmates’ access to resources that help them
reintegrate into society. High unemployment rates and increasing difficulty for readjustment
organizations to reach ex-inmates make it intensely more difficult, scary, and confusing to find
housing and employment than it already is for someone emerging from prison. Health care
and Medicaid can also be especially hard to acquire without in-person guidance. Since many
released are elderly, advocates are also concerned for inmates’ access and ability to use
crucial technology.
some are alone and lack a home to shelter in. Advocates of mass release worry that the nature
of our new shelter-in-place world will hinder ex-inmates’ access to resources that help them
reintegrate into society. High unemployment rates and increasing difficulty for readjustment
organizations to reach ex-inmates make it intensely more difficult, scary, and confusing to find
housing and employment than it already is for someone emerging from prison. Health care
and Medicaid can also be especially hard to acquire without in-person guidance. Since many
released are elderly, advocates are also concerned for inmates’ access and ability to use
crucial technology.
Mass release unprecedented, some entertain the idea that it is safer for some inmates to stay
incarcerated because they have daily meals and a place to sleep. People also question the
original plausibility of inmate’s arrests if the government can so easily free them. In these unusual and unparalleled times, we must consider the balance amongst the safety of all citizens, even if they have broken the law. I agree with the mass releases occurring and of course people will always have assumptions about ex-inmates, but the health of all our citizens must be prioritized. I feel it is less likely for ex-inmates to commit another offense anyway given their previous low-level crimes and the country's state of isolation.
incarcerated because they have daily meals and a place to sleep. People also question the
original plausibility of inmate’s arrests if the government can so easily free them. In these unusual and unparalleled times, we must consider the balance amongst the safety of all citizens, even if they have broken the law. I agree with the mass releases occurring and of course people will always have assumptions about ex-inmates, but the health of all our citizens must be prioritized. I feel it is less likely for ex-inmates to commit another offense anyway given their previous low-level crimes and the country's state of isolation.
Questions:
1. Do you think the coronavirus will have a lasting impact on the prison system and criminal justice reform?
2. What do you think ex-inmate outreach organizations and services can do to heighten their accessibility, especially to those without ample access to technology?
3. How do you think this mass release will affect low income communities, given the relationship between poverty and mass incarceration and how the coronavirus is hitting low income, minority communities harder?
1. Do you think the coronavirus will have a lasting impact on the prison system and criminal justice reform?
2. What do you think ex-inmate outreach organizations and services can do to heighten their accessibility, especially to those without ample access to technology?
3. How do you think this mass release will affect low income communities, given the relationship between poverty and mass incarceration and how the coronavirus is hitting low income, minority communities harder?
I don’t think that the whole COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting effect on the US prison system or that it will do much to reform the criminal justice system because once a vaccine is developed or there is herd immunity, things will just return to as they were. While this whole pandemic situation does move people off of the status quo of how the criminal justice system in this country works, people are going to hang on the bad examples so when things can return to normal, they will. Also, for a while after COVID-19 passes, the economy and unemployment are going to have to rebound, leaving a lot of these people who would be released for non violent crimes in a world where there is reform without work which just means they are more likely to end up back in prison or eventually in prison.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nathan. Once we are beyond all reasonable doubt that the virus has been contained, there is little incentive for reform, and any microscopic violations that take place during this turbulent time period will be used as justification for that status quo. The accessibility question is a thorny one: as much as it is an ethical duty to do at least something to help inmates re-integrate, public safety cannot be compromised in the process, and the last thing we want is for social workers to martyr themselves simply to make a point. This pandemic is revealing noticeable class divides in society (then again, ones we already knew existed) based on those who are perfectly capable of working from home indefinitely and those who cannot afford that same luxury. I will be very curious to see if work culture changes in a lasting way after this, especially if working from home becomes a more frequent system.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that coronavirus will have a lasting impact on the prison system and criminal justice reform. Once the coronavirus has been contained and a vaccine is found, things will turn back to normal. The only reason things have changed because this issue deals with the health of everyone everywhere. If the coronavirus wasn't so bad, then thousands of inmates wouldn't be released from prisons. In fact, it isn't so severe because they only are releasing those who are nonviolent offenders, disabled, possibly sick or health conditions. Those who are being released aren't those who have committed bad felonies so it won't affect the community that bad. Although this means that unemployment will increase because a lot of people at the moment aren't working, and it is making it more competitive in the workforce.
ReplyDeleteLike every here has already expressed, I don’t believe the coronavirus pandemic will cause reforms to occur. Our current prison system desperately needs reform, and while the response to the ongoing pandemic may push some local regions to change, I doubt there will be anything drastic. I think that this mass release is only going to stress out low income communities. I think ex-inmate outreach organizations—if they can—should provide ex-inmates and their families whatever support they can offer, and aid with things like filing for unemployment.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think COVID-19 would have a lasting effect on the US prison system and criminal justice reform. Even though it might take a while, once the coronavirus is contained and a vaccine is found, life will return normally for the most part. I think it is a safe and responsible move for those with a weaker immune system and those who didn’t commit violent crimes to be released for the sake of their health.
ReplyDeleteThis mass release will definitely cause an influx of people in low-income communities. Of course, this will also cause unemployment rates to continue surging.
I don't know that that coronavirus will have a significant or lasting impact on prison reform; however I do think that it could potentially alter the manner in which these prisons handle the individuals to a certain extent. Further, I think that ex-inmate outreach organizations could possibly assist the people prior to their release so that they are not left lost after the fact - this way, they would also have a better chance of access to healthcare or even finding jobs with the help they would need otherwise. Also, in terms of how the mass release will affect low income communities, I think that it could have a significant negative impact as if these ex-inmates are being released and crowding the low income communities, it may lead an increase of cases in these areas.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone that the coronavirus will not have a significant impact on prison reform and I think the current crisis will postpone any prison reform for the time being. I think the biggest thing that ex-inmate outreach organizations can do right now is help people find jobs and shelter. With unemployment so high right now, it is even more difficult than usual for ex-inmates to get jobs. I think this will add stress to low income communities because they will have to stretch out resources even more.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the coronavirus will have an impact on prison reform. If anything, It's postponed criminal justice reform by years.
ReplyDeleteCovid-19 has probably made the prison reform worse if anything. Although it has pointed out a lot of issues with cleanliness in our prison system. The prison system itself poses a threat to health as prisoners are either always close together or separated. They are not isolated and can spread disease easily. During a pandemic the prison system should change but it hasn't and probably wont for a while.
ReplyDeleteAs previously mentioned by other student above, I don't think the coronavirus will have a lasting impact on prison reform at this time. I think that the ex-inmate outreach organizations can work on finding those who need help by posting fliers or getting in touch with those who they know were related due to the coronavirus. In terms of helping the inmates with their life, I think the only thing they can really do is help them find shelter since not many places will be hiring as many places are closed down. I think this mass release will negatively affect low income areas and families because they will have to accommodate to more people, which will thin out the resources that they have.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of how the coronavirus will impact prison reform, I have to agree with others in that it will sadly not cause any lasting change. This pandemic has shown us that our current system of mass incarceration is not necessary, but that does not create a political drive for lasting change. I am not sure if this mass release will benefit or harm low-income communities, though I think it will be a benefit. On one hand, undoubtedly the newly-freed prisoners will benefit from safer living conditions. However, this will increase the social circles of low-income communities by bringing new people back into the community who have come into contact with many others.
ReplyDeleteI actually find this to be a very interesting decision. I am a little confused as to why this decision was made so one-sidedly, as I think a sustainable environment could be made as long as the inmates remain unexposed, similarly to how it is done in hospitals. However, I do think this is good to assign trust to those in jail, because not everyone in jail is a threat to society. Some have learned, and have become better people. I am a little concerned about how they will feel after the virus subsides and they have to leave their families and go back to prison; will appreciation or spite be the dominating mood/outlook?
ReplyDeleteI certainly do not think that COVID-19 will have a lasting impact on the prison system and criminal justice reform. Although it may seem to have changed the system as of now, once things go back to normal after a vaccine is found and the virus is contained, so will the prison system. I think that it is important to consider the health of the inmates and that it is a reasonable idea to release inmates with weak immune systems who have not committed violent acts.
ReplyDelete