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Coronavirus Is Surging In State Prisons
Two months ago there were fewer than 100 cases among California's state prison inmates.
Since then, there have been 3,000 more cases, mostly spread among six prisons. The California Institution for Men in Chino currently has more than 500.
The state says some of that has to do with expanded testing.
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Fourteen inmates have died; 13 of them were in Chino. The first female inmate died on Tuesday. She had been at the California Institution for Women in Corona, which now has around 100 cases of the virus.
In late May, the state started transferring hundreds of inmates from Chino to 12 prisons that had no coronavirus cases.
One of them, San Quentin, now has 16.
Five prisons are now conducting mandatory testing of staff — including the prisons in Chino and Corona.
GO DEEPER:
- The Coronavirus Has Torn Through Terminal Island Prison. Families Want Answers.
- Throwing A Spotlight On Women Prison Inmates' Coronavirus Fears
- Fighting Coronavirus, State Prisons Seek To Disable Inmates' Sleep Apnea Machines
- 'I Don't Want to Feel Like A Sitting Duck.' COVID-19 Stokes Fear Inside A California Prison
- Inmates' Families Struggle With COVID-19 Suspension Of Jail Visits
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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.
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