San Quentin State Prison in California has erected tents and is converting a warehouse to treat a coronavirus outbreak that's infected more than 1,800 inmates and staff.
A view of a new emergency care facility that was erected to treat inmates infected with COVID-19 at San Quentin State Prison on July 8, 2020 in San Quentin, Calif.
A view of a new emergency care facility that was erected to treat inmates infected with COVID-19 at San Quentin State Prison on July 8, 2020 in San Quentin, Calif.in mid-June that the population at San Quentin be reduced to at least half its capacity to prevent a"full-blown local epidemic and health care crisis" in the prison and nearby communities.
As the outbreak has grown, a coalition of prison advocates, California state legislators and members of the incarcerated community has been calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to reduce the prison population at San Quentin to below 50%, as well as stop transfers between prisons and ICE detention centers.
A mother who said her son has tested positive for COVID-19 while incarcerated at San Quentin pleaded for his safety.briefing on Thursday, Newsom said the situation at San Quentin is"the biggest concern," with population reduction a focal point. In recent weeks, the state has been working to reduce the inmate population through expedited and natural releases, as well as the suspension of intake from county jails. In March, the prison was at 131% capacity, with a population of 4,051, Newsom said. In a few weeks, the plan is to have that number down to 3,076,"below 100% capacity," he said. As of Wednesday the population was 3,392, according to CDCR."All of us are now accountable to addressing this issue," Newsom said.
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