Roughly
People in jails, prisons, and detention centers are at extreme risk of infection from COVID-19. Now is the time for government leaders to be bold: release people from custody and divert others from entering detention. Vera has created guidance with best practices justice systems can follow to swiftly protect people, as well as tools to track government progress. Explore below to learn how policymakers can act now.
Coronavirus Guidance - Crisis Behind Bars
Prisons and jails have become significant clusters of COVID-19 in America, putting thousands of lives at risk. As part of our efforts to protect people most at risk of contracting COVID-19, the Vera Institute of Justice issued this guidance brief providing leaders at all levels of federal, state, and local government with recommendations to address ...
Guidance brief urging Attorney General Barr, governors, sheriffs, and corrections administrators to take immediate action to stem the explosion of COVID-19 cases in jails, prisons, and detention centers.
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COVID-19 and Criminal Justice: City and State Spotlights
Tools to expedite release to reduce spread of COVID-19 and track local progress in leading U.S. cities
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Coronavirus Guidance for the Criminal and Immigration Legal Systems
The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has been declared by the World Health Organization to be a global pandemic. As the number of people infected in the United States grows exponentially, we must focus on prevention and containment in the criminal and immigration legal systems. Vera and Community Oriented Correctional Health Services have created a series ...
Recommendations and resources for leaders and staff in courts, police departments, prisons, jails, and detention centers
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Jail Population Trends
Monitoring jail populations during COVID-19
A data tool to monitor jail populations across the country and hold local governments accountable during the pandemic
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How Local Leaders Can Ensure Immigrant Justice During COVID-19 Guidance Brief
Our immigration system is on the threshold of a new crisis precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. People in detention face high risks of infection from the close quarters of facilities, shelters, and courtrooms, and they lack adequate sanitation, health care, and protective measures. The frequent transfer of people throughout the immigration detent ...
Guidance brief to equip local leaders with practical actions and policy solutions to ensure access to justice for all amid the COVID-19 pandemic
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Without action, thousands of people living and working in corrections facilities, and in the communities surrounding them, will suffer debilitating disease and die avoidable deaths. - Nick Turner, Vera President & Director
Webinars
COVID-19 and Prisons Webinar
Centering Human Dignity Across Decarceration, Reentry, and Operations
COVID-19 and Policing Webinar
Reducing Arrests and Supporting the Health of Communities and Officers
COVID-19 and Jail Releases Webinar
Collaborating to Keep Communities Safe and Healthy
Blog Posts
Covid-19
Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic
Series: Covid-19
Detention May Become Death Sentence for Vulnerable Detainees
Immediate action is needed to prevent the spread of this disease among other people in detention who cannot protect themselves. Even under normal circumstances, imprisoning immigrants who are in deportation proceedings is cruel. People—including those who may have legal standing to remain in the United States—languish for weeks, months, or years. ...
Blog Post
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Erica Bryant
Series: Covid-19
Public Health and Public Safety: The Critical Role of Police During the COVID-19 Crisis
One concern has been that law enforcement officers themselves could become vectors of transmission for coronavirus because of the degree of public exposure inherent in policing. While much has been written about law enforcement practices at this time, less focus has been placed on the public health and safety risks for frontline responders and thei ...
Blog Post
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Leah Pope
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Aaron Stagoff-Belfort