Demands

The immediate release of all detained people, especially all pre-trial detainees, the elderly, pregnant, immunocompromised prisoners, as well as all mothers and infants in prison nurseries, and mothers who are postpartum. Additionally, we demand the release of detained people who have less than 18 months on their sentences. We echo the demand by Critical Resistance to commute the sentences of people serving life without parole.
Make publicly available plans with clear accountability for dealing with the outbreak at each prison. We want transparency and a crisis management plan that includes information on testing for Covid-19, making sure that the facility’s medical unit is fully staffed during the crisis including overnight and weekends.
Prisoners need free access to bleach and hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of Covid-19. These items are considered contraband and therefore prisoners are not allowed to have them. We believe that the current pandemic means that officials need to reevaluate their current policies and act with urgency to address these concerns.
Free commissary for all prisoners so that they can stock up on necessary supplies to hold them over in the likely event that the prison locks down. In the event of a prolonged lockdown DOCs are likely to give prisoners Meals-Ready-To-Eat (MREs), these are dehydrated food pouches that are given to the military when out in the field. We believe that it is both possible and necessary for prisons to give people the resources they need to remain healthy and nourished, and so we demand that all prisoners receive free commissary for the duration of this crisis.
We demand that all prisons, ICE detention centers, youth detention centers, and other places of confinement make phone calls and video visits free of charge. Additionally, eliminate all fees associated with the use of tablets for entertainment purposes.
Infection control tools for all people held in confinement. Test kits, protocols based on medical advice. Health care workers including nurse practitioners and doctors on overnight and weekend shifts, and additional health care workers should be hired as necessary. Medical care should not be outsourced to telemedicine and there should be reduced reliance on so-called ‘circuit riders’ (one doctor responsible for the care of thousands of people across multiple jails), instead reducing the ratio of incarcerated people to medical professionals.
Improved hygiene for shared spaces such as indoor recreation spaces and day rooms, as well as mess halls. Improved hygiene for food service. Health education materials for proper hand washing techniques and other preventative measures for slowing transmission.
Wherever quarantine is required, it should be done so in a caring environment, not a punitive one. Quarantined prisoners should not be crowded together or isolated and neglected. The priority should be transfer to hospitals or other adequate medical facilities. But if this is not possible, they should not be placed in solitary confinement under the guise of quarantine.
People who are quarantined must not lose their property and wherever possible they should have ways to continue any education or programming they may be participating in.
Terminate all sick call fees and other policies and practices that punish or ignore incarcerated people speaking up for their medical needs. It is unconscionable for prisoners to be charged for medical care right now. Additionally, ensure continuity of care for all people remaining in custody that are taking life saving medications, Hormone Replacement Therapy, and other prescription medications.
Immediately STOP all reincarceration for Violation of Probation/Parole.
Stop all ICE raids.
Jails should not be allowed to release sick people on recognizance as a way to avoid paying for their medical care and saddling incarcerated people with medical debt. If a jurisdiction has decided to confine someone, they should take on the responsibility for paying for their medical care. They should also not be allowed to avoid transportation to off-site care as a cost-cutting measure.
Cease the use of pepper spray and other chemical agents that can cause breathing complications and spread easily among cells and units.
Create councils or other regular meeting forums for the public to interact with prison officials, and a process for reliable communication and working through their needs and concerns.
Additional legal aid and/or other meaningful grievance procedures for incarcerated people to document and push back on mistreatment in the crisis. We demand an end to any punitive measures that are designed to prolong sentences.
Stronger labor and safety protections for prison laborers, especially those who may be working in support of public health agencies (ie prisoners doing hospital laundry). Hazard-pay for prisoners working in particularly dangerous circumstances.
More nutritious meals to improve the health and immune systems of incarcerated people.
Reinstate in-person visits as soon as possible.
Remove administrative obstacles that make it difficult for prisoners to continue with their education.
We demand that all people released from custody including undocumented people automatically have access to SNAP benefits, emergency housing, and are enrolled in public healthcare.
Immediately stop the use of shake downs and solitary confinement.