July 8, 2020: New York, New York
The Release Aging People in Prison Campaign released the following statement in response to breaking news by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise that the first older person incarcerated at Adirondack Correctional Facility has tested positive for COVID-19:
“For weeks public health experts, North Country residents, and advocates have warned Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Heastie that Cuomo’s plan to create this prison nursing home was a recipe for disaster. Our worst nightmare is beginning to come true. Now that the virus is in the prison, it is going to spread like wildfire. It will needlessly harm and kill elder New Yorkers in prison unless the Governor and state leaders take immediate action to release everyone from the facility. The Governor should grant life saving clemencies. Legislative leaders in Albany should pass the Elder Parole bill and Fair and Timely Parole Act. Inaction will turn this prison nursing home into a prison death camp.”