Friend,

Jails, prisons, and detention centers across the country have long been unsanitary and inhumane. But during a pandemic, they’re disastrous hotspots. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is banned, social distancing is impossible, and people can’t access basic hygienic supplies like soap.

Many children and our nation’s eldery and chronically ill people live in confinement, and they’re at high risk of getting infected with, and then dying from, COVID-19.

Even before the pandemic, children in detention centers were dying because officials refused to vaccinate them for the flu, let alone grant basic access to healthcare. This was unacceptable then, but it’s especially outrageous now.

Sign the petition: We must move quickly to end the spread of COVID-19 in migrant detention centers, jails, and prisons—and guarantee safe conditions and healthcare for people inside.

If the coronavirus spreads inside a facility it could be catastrophic. We’re already seeing that happen. It won’t only affect incarcerated people, who are especially vulnerable. It will affect all of us, because nearly half a million workers pass through confinement facilities daily.

Over a month ago, I joined congressional colleagues to demand information and action from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to prepare for and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in federal prisons. U.S. Attorney General William Barr responded, but inadequately.

Then, after the first report of a person in federal custody who tested positive for COVID-19, I joined colleagues to demand that the BOP, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices act immediately to minimize the number of new people in our jail and court systems, and to grant compassionate release to elders, chronically ill people, people who pose no risk to public safety, and people who haven’t been convicted of any crimes but are detained while awaiting trial.

Immigrants in detention centers, incarcerated people, and other activists across the country have launched hunger strikes and protests for swift action. Some states and cities have responded, releasing people and reducing arrests to minimize the number of people in confinement.

But we need national action, and quickly.

We need to guarantee adequate healthcare and testing for detained/incarcerated people who are already ill or who display symptoms—and release children and families, the elderly, the ill, and people with non-violent offenses.

Lives are at stake.

Please add your name today to demand immediate action to guarantee incarcerated people are protected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In solidarity,

Rashida