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Prisoner release raises concerns about their health during pandemic

High rates of COVID-19 in prisons prompted the state to let thousands out of custody

By Lilo H. Stainton, NJSpotlight

New Jersey released thousands of people from prisons Wednesday to try to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in corrections facilities, but questions remained about the state’s ability to support the public health needs of this vulnerable population.

The state Department of Corrections planned to release nearly 2,300 inmates — including nearly a dozen who have tested positive for COVID-19 — over the course of the day under a law Gov. Phil Murphy signed in October. Close to 1,200 more prisoners will be returned to the community in coming weeks, DOC said.

The historic program — the only one of its kind nationwide — is open to nonviolent offenders near the end of their sentences and provided individuals who had served prison terms during the pandemic with “credit” toward an early release date.

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Posted: November 5th, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: COVID-19, Department of Corrections, New Jersey | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments »

6 Comments on “Prisoner release raises concerns about their health during pandemic”

  1. Jose Freiwald said at 9:08 am on November 5th, 2020:

    More to come in 1/21 due to the never ending Health State of Emergency. Remember in November & put your fake mail-in ballot in a plastic bag while sparking up a legal joint !!

  2. Lol said at 1:25 pm on November 5th, 2020:

    you mad bro??

  3. What the hell said at 5:27 pm on November 5th, 2020:

    about the rest of us??

  4. Jose Freiwald said at 9:49 am on November 6th, 2020:

    I’m not mad yet just drowning in the deep blue sea that’s NJ.

  5. You said at 10:37 am on November 6th, 2020:

    can always leave, that is what is so grand about this great, free country in which we reside. I hear Arkansas is quite cheap. Good luck finding a decent job and a good Doctor.

  6. Jose Freiwald said at 4:56 pm on November 6th, 2020:

    More miles done than I have left, too old to be nice & too late to start over! Defy Dem !!