×
You've used up your 3 free articles for this month. Subscribe today.
Coronavirus in Prison: The Cruel Reality
As Numbers Rise, Some Prison Systems Admit Defeat, Others Try to Ignore Death Toll
by Christopher Zoukis, MBA
As nations across the world battle the coronavirus plague, American prisons continue to fail at managing this pandemic, not unlike many communities across the United States. For what appears to be primarily ...
Full article and associated cases available to subscribers.
As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login
More from this issue:
- Coronavirus in Prison: The Cruel Reality, by Christopher Zoukis
- Survey of 8,000 Prisoners’ Political Views Finds Surprising Results, by David Reutter
- “Collateral Consequences” of Convictions Hinder Chances of Post-Prison Success, by Dale Chappell
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- How to Fail at Running a Prison During a Pandemic, by Anthony Accurso
- New Initiatives from Philadelphia, Koch Industries, Work to Get Ex-Offenders Jobs, by Anthony Accurso
- Medical Director of California Prison System Removed After Dubious Transfers Spike COVID-19 Counts, by Derek Gilna
- Judge Awards $273,246 Payment to New York Prisoner Beaten by Guard, by David Reutter
- Prison Postcards: “I feel as though I was either in a car accident or beaten by a baseball bat.”, by Ken Silverstein
- Utah State Auditor Finds Grave Deficiencies in Prisoner Placement Program, by Michael Fortino, Ph.D
- Justice Department and GEO Group Challenge California’s Ban on Private Prison and Detention Facilities, by Matthew Clarke
- Nevada Court Rules Prison Officials Withheld Evidence from Prisoner, by David Reutter
- U.S. District Court Says Rhode Island Department of Corrections Violated “Morris Rules”, by Douglas Ankney
- Injunction Orders Protection for Prisoner Witnesses in California Disability Lawsuit, by David Reutter
- Lockdowns Follow “Coordinated” Gang Fights at Oklahoma Prisons, by David Reutter
- Texas Execs Sentenced for Providing Bad Food to BOP, by Edward Lyon
- California Scrambled to Staff Wildfire Crews After Firefighting Prisoners Locked Down Due to COVID-19, by Dale Chappell
- Colorado Parole Board Cannot Confine Parolee Beyond Statutory Max, by Anthony Accurso
- Coronavirus Will Not Be Controlled in Country Until It Is Controlled in Prisons and Jails, by Michael D. Cohen, MD
- Prisoner Law Consultant in Michigan Pleads Guilty to Defrauding BOP, by David Reutter
- Interview: Jessica Sandoval of Unlock the Box on Solitary Confinement, by Ken Silverstein
- $5,400 Payout by Montana DOC Over Ex-Prisoner’s Claim of Religious, Gender Discrimination, by David Reutter
- Seventh Circuit: Transfer of Indiana Prisoner Based on Substance of Grievances Not Retaliatory, by David Reutter
- Captain at Jail Where Epstein Died Offered New Position of Authority; Warden Remains on Desk Duty, by Kevin Bliss
- $110,000 Settlement Reached in Ohio Prisoner’s Excessive Force Suit, by David Reutter
- Alabama DOC Report: Staff Beat, Hog-Tied, and Denied Medical Care to Fatally Injured Prisoner Seeking Help; Then Covered It Up, by Matthew Clarke
- New Study Documents Startling Spread of COVID-19 in American Prisons and Jails, by Sharon Dolovich, Brendan Saloner
- Commitment to New Jersey’s “Special Treatment Unit” a Potential Death Sentence, by Kevin Bliss
- Coronavirus Shuts Down Ramen Soup Plant; Prisoners in Michigan Limited on Purchase Amounts, by Dale Chappell
- Families Accuse Arkansas Prison of Poor Communication on COVID-19 Prisoners, by Kevin Bliss
- Sixth Circuit: Courts Must Construe Pro Se Notice of Appeal as Motion for Extension of Time to Appeal, by Dale Chappell
- Kansas Prison Dental Instructor Sentenced to 32 Months for Molesting Female Prisoner, by Matthew Clarke
- Michigan Prisoner’s Malicious Prosecution Claim Survives Summary Judgment, by David Reutter
- Oregon Court Holds Prison Litigation Reform Act Exhaustion Tolls Statute of Limitations, by Mark Wilson
- Book Review: The Habeas Citebook: Prosecutorial Misconduct Is an Invaluable Resource for Challenging Prosecutorial Misconduct, by Dale Chappell
- Bad Behavior: Key to Getting Promoted for Alabama Prison Officials, by Dale Chappell
- San Quentin Had Zero COVID-19 Cases Until California Officials Sent Infected Prisoners, Triggered Wildfire, by Douglas Ankney
- Due to Steps Taken by New Mexico Officials, Only Sex Offenders Present When Prison Overwhelmed by COVID-19, by Matthew Clarke
- Darren Rainey Died in Scalding Prison Shower Eight Years Ago Today, Still No Charges Filed, by Jessica Lipscomb
- $135,000 Settles Sexual Orientation Discrimination Suit by Former Michigan Prison Guard, by Matthew Clarke
- Harvard Prison Divestment Campaign Files Suit Seeking to Sever University’s Financial Ties With Prison Industrial Complex, by Douglas Ankney
- Eleventh Circuit Holds Trafficking Victims Protection Act Applies to CoreCivic “Voluntary Work Program”, by Matthew Clarke
- Alabama Says It Will Reform Prisons, the Nation’s Deadliest, by Bill Barton
- New York: Prisoner Kills Himself After Brutal Beating by Guards, by Chad Marks
- COVID-19 Causes Public Defenders to Change How They Handle Cases, by Dale Chappell
- $140,000 Settlement in Ohio Jail Beating, Retaliation Case, by David Reutter
- Jury Award $700,000 to Maryland Prisoner Assaulted by Guards, by Chad Marks
- IRS Blocks Prisoners from CARES Stimulus Checks, by Derek Gilna
- Seventh Circuit: Totality of the Circumstances Must be Considered to Show “Policy or Custom” by Government Agency Caused Injury for Monell Claim, by Dale Chappell
- Former Prisoners Are Running for Office In 2020, by Daniel A. Rosen
- $122,000 Payout as Utah Settles Suits Claiming Daggett County Jail Torture, by Dale Chappell
- Jewish Michigan Prisoners Win Injunction for Religious Sabbath and Holiday Meals, by David Reutter
- Texas Prison System Bans Greetings Cards, Postcards, Colored Paper in Mail, by Matthew Clarke
- News in Brief
More from Christopher Zoukis:
- The Contraband Wars Prison authorities target books and mail, miss the goods coming through the staff door, July 1, 2021
- Trump v. Biden on Criminal Justice, Oct. 1, 2020
- Coronavirus in Prison: The Cruel Reality, Aug. 1, 2020
- With Lives of Immigrant Detainees at Risk to COVID-19, Federal Judge Forces ICE’s Hand, July 1, 2020
- A Nation on the Brink, June 15, 2020
- Federal Court Slams Michigan Jail for Bungling COVID-19 Pandemic, Demands Names of Vulnerable Prisoners for Release, June 1, 2020
- Silence: The Bureau of Prisons’ Pathetic Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, June 1, 2020
- New York Judge Orders Release of 18 Rikers Island Detainees Due to COVID-19 Risk, June 1, 2020
- Coronavirus: A Nationwide Survey of the Push for Early Release as Pandemic Fears Grow, May 1, 2020
- California Three-Judge Court Denies Emergency Motion to Reduce Prison Population During Pandemic, May 1, 2020
More from these topics:
- Failures Brought to Light in Arizona Prison System’s COVID-19 Response, March 1, 2025. Centurion, Systemic Medical Neglect, COVID-19.
- Sixth Circuit Upholds $6.4 Million Jury Award Against Corizon Nurses For Michigan Jail Prisoner’s Fatal Alcohol Withdrawal, March 1, 2025. Corizon, Drug/Alcohol Withdrawal, Settlements, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
- New Mexico Corrections Department Continues Pattern of Abuse With Contract Medical Provider Wexford Health Sources, Feb. 15, 2025. Wexford Health Services, Systemic Medical Neglect, Malpractice, Settlements, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
- $150,000 Settlement But No Charges After Schizophrenic Florida Detainee Killed by Jail Guards, Feb. 15, 2025. Guard Misconduct, Medical Neglect/Malpractice, Excessive Force (Wrongful Death), Failure to Treat (Mental Illness).
- $220,000 Settlement After Woman Dies in Ohio Jail From Drug Withdrawal, Feb. 15, 2025. Drug/Alcohol Withdrawal, Settlements, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
- Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Holds Witness Wearing Surgical Mask During Pandemic Is Denial of Sixth Amendment Right to Face-to-Face Confrontation and No General Exception to This Right for Pandemic or ‘Other Global Events’ Such as Wars and Natural, Feb. 15, 2025. COVID-19, Confrontation Clause/Rights, Practitioner Exception.
- Wellpath Declares Bankruptcy, Jan. 15, 2025. Private Contractors, Bankruptcy, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
- Suits Filed Over Dehydration Deaths at Two Texas Jails, Jan. 15, 2025. Failure to Protect (General), Water, Settlements, Medical Neglect/Malpractice, Failure to Treat (Mental Illness).
- Two-Week Lockdown at BOP Women’s Prison in Minnesota After Nine Overdoses, Two Deaths, Jan. 15, 2025. Gender Discrimination -- Women, Drug Overdose, Lockdowns, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
- Centurion’s $8 Million Track Record of Abuse and Neglect as New Mexico’s Correctional Medical Provider, Dec. 15, 2024. Centurion, Systemic Medical Neglect, Private Contractors, Settlements, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.