Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, our Justice Project has been working to combat the spread of the virus in jails nationwide and keep communities #FreeAndSafe. 

Today we filed a federal lawsuit calling for the release of people inside East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. With the help of the Center for Constitutional Rights and Hogan Lovells, we were able to support the work of our Louisiana partners, East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition and Voice of the Experienced (VOTE).

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We argued that parish officials are risking the lives of everyone inside and the community at large because of their failure to respond to the threat of COVID-19. In addition to immediate release, our lawsuit also asked the court to order East Baton Rouge Parish officials to immediately adopt comprehensive measures to protect the safety and health of people in prison--particularly those who are considered medically vulnerable and have a higher risk of contracting the virus. 

We need your help to pressure local and state governments to do the right thing and release people from jails and prisons, allowing them to safely quarantine and social distance. 

Click here to learn how you can call your local public officials (sheriff's offices, state's attorneys, governors, etc.) and demand that they take action before it's too late! 

P.S. We're fighting every day to get people out of jails in this crisis. Can you make a donation today, at any amount that is meaningful to you, to keep us all safe from COVID-19?