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The number of coronavirus cases inside correctional facilities across Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia are rising, while inmates, staff and their families grow more concerned.
There are 57 confirmed cases of the virus inside Maryland correctional facilities, including 10 inmates, 22 correctional officers, three Division of Parole and Probation employees, 19 contractual staff, one clinical health employee and two office of the secretary employees as of Thursday, according to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Also as of Thursday, there were 30 inmates, who have positive for the virus in District jails as well as 11 staff members, who had tested positive, according to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Virginia’s prisons have 47 confirmed cases of the virus, including 20 inmates and 22 staff members, according to the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Inmates across the area and their advocates have sought to prevent more people inside the facilities from becoming infected.
Justice Policy Institute, a prisoners’ rights organization, along with similar groups, have requested that Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan decrease the population inside the state and local facilities.
Additionally, the group is calling for Hogan to release low-level offenders, inmates who have approaching release dates, inmates who are medically compromised and children who are in the state’s custody.
