(Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Two lawsuits filed in the past week allege that Massachusetts correction officials are endangering prisoners and staff during the pandemic, refusing to take steps that would tamp down infections and protect communities outside the prison walls.
Both suits say the current outbreaks in correctional facilities could have been avoided if more prisoners were released. In the past six weeks over 1,000 prisoners have been confirmed infected, over two thirds of the total infections to date. Five incarcerated people have died in the past month, reads the preliminary injunction filed Wednesday by Prisoners Legal Services of Massachusetts (PLSMA). All the measures DOC has put in place to control the spread of infection, such as lockdowns, mask use, and disinfection, have failed.
With coronavirus outbreaks spiking at Massachusetts correctional facilities over the past two months, officials are taking a further step to try to stop the spread of the virus behind bars.
Beginning last week, the Department of Correction now requires anyone visiting a state prison to have had a negative coronavirus test within the previous three days. General visitation to state prisons was suspended in November, so the new rule applies to those authorized to visit such as contractors and attorneys. The DOC says remote meeting arrangements will be made for attorneys who are not able to provide a recent negative test result. The department says it is modifying visitation policies to further protect inmates from the introduction of COVID-19 into DOC facilities.