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| Friend, People in jails and prisons are losing their lives to COVID-19. Many of them were behind bars for drug offenses. Although some steps have been taken to release people to fight the spread of the virus, hundreds of thousands more are still at risk. The COVID-19 Correctional Facility Emergency Response Act would encourage the reduction of incarcerated populations and save lives. Tell your Members of Congress to support this bill and protect people behind bars from COVID-19. This critical legislation would incentivize state and local officials to reduce jail and prison populations, stop arrests, provide communities with re-entry support, and fund testing and treatment for COVID-19 for individuals in state and local correctional facilities. There are more than 450,000 people locked up in jails and prisons in the U.S. on drug charges. The crowded, unsanitary conditions they live in put all of them at risk. The truth is that it is impossible to follow the CDC’s guidelines around social distancing and cleanliness in a prison. A drug sentence should not be a death sentence. But COVID-19 will claim even more lives unless our lawmakers act now. Contact Congress right away and tell them to save lives by supporting the COVID-19 Correctional Facility Emergency Response Act. Protecting everyone during this unprecedented health crisis requires prioritizing the health and safety of people who are incarcerated. While it’s encouraging to see that thousands of people have already been released, it’s not nearly enough to stop the spread of the virus. This public health crisis is only going to escalate and immediate steps need to be taken to keep our communities safe. We know that people behind bars are some of the most vulnerable to contracting the virus, impacting incarcerated people, correctional staff, and surrounding communities. That’s why we must decarcerate and release as many people as possible before it’s too late. Sincerely, Maritza Perez Director, National Affairs Drug Policy Alliance |
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