As of March 31, 2023 there have been:
COVID-19 cases among
people incarcerated in
prisons
Deaths of incarcerated individuals in prisons due to COVID-19
COVID-19 cases among staff
working in prisons
Deaths of staff working in prisons due to COVID-19
Incarcerated People who have received at least one vaccine dose
Staff who have received at least one vaccine dose
Only some systems are publicly reporting vaccination data at this time. For more insight into correctional system and media reporting of this data, click here.
People who live in correctional settings are at a high risk of exposure to COVID-19. In fact, a majority of the largest, single-site outbreaks since the beginning of the pandemic have been in jails and prisons. Therefore, there is a demonstrated need to examine national prison data on COVID-19 testing, confirmed cases, and policies and procedures. Here we examine national and statewide data on prevalence rates in federal and state prisons.
Hear firsthand about COVID-19 behind bars.
The Marshall Project’s “Life Inside” is a weekly series of first-person essays from people who are incarcerated.
Other ways to listen and engage.
Check out Works of Justice: Temperature Check, COVID-19 Behind Bars from PEN America, a new series featuring original reporting by incarcerated writers, accompanied by podcast interviews with experts.
Learn about public health and abolition.
Read a learning guide from Towards Abolition on how public health can support the abolition of the prison-industrial complex.
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