Bureau Director Michael Carvajal activated "Phase 5 of its COVID-19 Action Plan" on April 1. Here are the following "Phase 5" actions that BOP will conduct to "further mitigate the exposure and spread of COVID-19:"
- For a 14-day period, inmates in every institution will be secured in their assigned cells/quarters to decrease the spread of the virus. This modification to our action plan is based on health concerns, not disruptive inmate behavior.
- During this time, to the extent practicable, inmates should still have access to programs and services that are offered under normal operating procedures, such as mental health treatment and education.
- In addition, the Bureau is coordinating with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) to significantly decrease incoming movement during this time.
- After 14 days, this decision will be reevaluated and a decision made as to whether or not to return to modified operations.
- Limited group gathering will be afforded to the extent practical to facilitate commissary, laundry, showers, telephone, and Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS) access.
Last week, the BOP said it had "increased" COVID-19 screening for inmates and staff as cases and deaths surged across the country. New prisoners are to be quarantined for two weeks before placed into the system, while no visitors are allowed during the pandemic.
Comment: Considering the propensity for much of the media and the "authorities" to over-estimate deaths by Covid-19, we would take the number mentioned in the above infographic with a big grain of salt.
We recently noted that the pandemic had turned the country's jails and prisons into ticking time bombs that could amplify the public health crisis.
The prison system across the country has been thrown into crisis. Earlier this week, chief doctor at Rikers Island, New York City's largest jail, warned that a "public health disaster is unfolding before our eyes."
In California, 3,500 prisoners were released early this week to reduce the spreading of the virus in the jail system. The trend across the country has been much of the same, as prisoners test positives for the infection, more are being released early to avoid an outbreak.
They're trying to build a prison
Following the rights movements you clamped on with your iron fists
Drugs became conveniently available for all the kids
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
Right here in Hollywood
Nearly two million Americans are incarcerated
In the prison system, prison system of the U.S.
For you and me to live in
Another prison system
For you and me
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons, you don't even flinch
All our taxes paying for your wars against the new non-rich
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
Right here in Hollywood
The percentage of Americans in the prison system
Prison system has doubled since 1985
They're trying to build a prison
For you and me to live in
Another prison system
They're trying to build a prison
For you and me
Oh baby, you and me
All research and successful drug policies show
that treatment should be increased
And law enforcement decreased while abolishing
mandatory minimum sentences
All research and successful drug policies show
That treatment should be increased
And law enforcement decreased while abolishing
Mandatory minimum sentences " (Heavy rhythmic, rhyming lyrics, eh? ;))
Utilizing drugs to pay for
Secret wars around the world
Drugs are now your global policy
Now you police the globe
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
Right here in Hollywood
Drug money is used to rig elections
And train brutal corporate sponsored
Dictators around the world
Or, simpler: Johnny Cash: (Prison time for drugs as I recall.)
I hear the train a comin'
It's rollin' 'round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since, I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a-rollin'
On down to San Antone
When I was just a baby My Mama told me, "son
Always be a good boy
Don't ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowin'
I hang my head and cry
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
In a fancy dinin' car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
And smokin' big cigars
Well, I know I had it comin'
I know I can't be free
But those people keep a-movin'
And that's what tortures me
Well, if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little
Farther down the line
Far from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
Blow my blues away
(There are worse places than illegally locked down at home.)