April 12, 2020: New York, New York
Today, the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, Parole Preparation
Project, #HALTsolitary Campaign, VOCAL-NY, Worth Rises, and Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club released the following statement in response to the third death of a New Yorker in prison with COVID-19:
“Governor Cuomo’s lack of action is creating a COVID-19 catastrophe in New York State prisons. We are devastated and outraged that a third person with the virus has died behind bars. Data released today by the state prison system shows that 131 incarcerated people and 522 prison staff have tested positive for the virus so far. Based on reports from people in prison, we know that the real infection rate is even higher. It is just a matter of time before many of these people and countless others die behind bars with COVID-19. The Governor should embrace the Catholic values he purports to have this Easter Sunday by granting wide-ranging clemencies to New Yorkers in prison, something that democratic and republican governors in several other states have already begun to do.”