With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Congresswoman Calls Tour Of Coronavirus-Ravaged Terminal Island Prison 'Disturbing'
Prisoners' relatives rallied at Terminal Island on May 8 calling for more action to protect inmates from the virus. (Emily Elena Dugdale/LAist).
()
Congresswoman Nanette Barragán today toured the Terminal Island prison in San Pedro where more than 700 people have tested positive for COVID-19. She said what she saw and heard was "disturbing."
She said inmates could not practice social distancing, and were wearing ill-fitting or incorrectly worn masks.
There are 1,042 prisoners at the facility, many of whom need long-term medical or mental health care.
As of today, the prison reports:
- 150 active cases of the virus among prisoners
- 15 active cases among staff.
- Seven inmates at the prison have died of COVID-19
- More than 500 have recovered from the disease, according to a live tracker maintained by the federal Bureau of Prisons.
Currently, 16 inmates are hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms.
Support for LAist comes from
Barragán said the L.A. County Department of Public Health offered to test all of the prison's correctional officers, but the prison warden, Felicia Ponce, declined the offer.
Barragán said:
"The warden said that she cannot force the correctional officers to test for COVID-19."
"We're not even close to the number of folks that might be in a better position being on home confinement," she said.
Families of incarcerated prisoners rallied outside the prison last Friday, calling for more action to protect inmates from the virus.
The prison warden said they are undergoing a second round of review to recommend more inmates for home confinement. It's expected to be completed May 22.
Support for LAist comes from
MORE ON DETENTION FACILITIES
- Lawsuit Claims LA County Fails to Protect Jail Inmates from Coronavirus
- Federal Judge Orders Adelanto ICE Detention Center To Reduce Number Of Detainees
- '10 To A Room, A Few Feet Apart': Advocates Say LA County's Incarcerated Youth Are At High Risk
- Advocates Push CA's Top Court To Release More Detained Juveniles
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
Best of LAist