Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
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.
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:
Sponsored message
"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.
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.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
