How California inmates are handling Covid-19

Inmates and prison employees across the country have been faced with unique ways of responding to the pandemic. Most prison facilites are handling COVID-19 by reducing the number of people in the facilities.

According to a study done by JAMA, the incarcerated population is 5.5 times more likely to contract Covid-19 than the rest of the US population. Prisoners are also three times more likely to die after contracting the virus. For the virus to be contained in US prison facilities, further reforms need to be made.

Brandon Spencer, 28, serving a 40 year to life sentence at California State Prison,in Lancaster described how things have changed for him since the start of Covid-19.

“We used to be able to go out all together… like all of the buildings. Now they only allow one building at a time. I don’t go outside too much because I don’t want to catch it. I know if I catch it and it’s bad that’ll probably be it for me. They don’t care about saving us.”

Although the CDC’s Guidance on Management of Covid-19 in Detention Facilities recommends enhanced cleaning, not all facilities have followed the recommendations. “We have no cleaning supplies whatsoever to clean our cell. They have workers that clean here and there, but not thoroughly enough for these conditions we live in. The showers aren’t cleaned after every use, and most people rush in to go first before the hot water is gone, it’s the same as it was before,” Spencer said.

Measures that the public are encouraged to take don’t seem to be enforced as much in prison. Spencer tells how social distancing and the use of masks isn’t enforced by guards.“ They don’t make everyone keep their mask on when we’re around each other, which shows how much they care.”

“They forced someone to move in with me…I was in here by myself before covid and I didn’t have a choice. He’s a cool guy, but still, there’s a whole pandemic, so I don’t see the logic in me getting a cellmate when it’s best that everyone keep their distance.”

Since being incarcerated, Spencer has enrolled at Antelope Valley College and is on track to receive an AA in Psychology by Spring 2021. “ I’m going to continue to do the best that I can, this is just another teachable moment for me. Even though I’m in here for something that I didn’t do, my time here has forced me to focus. I’m actually set to go to court in February for a retrial so I know there’s hope for me, and all I have to do is survive this.”

In California, 31 counties have voted to implement an emergency bail schedule, which has suspended bail payments for those charged with misdemeanor crimes. But even with the release of some inmates, the spread rapidly continues in California prisons. Avenal State Prison has seen the worst of Covid-19 with 2,983 total reported cases and eight deaths.

With our general population experiencing a surge in cases, those confined to a cell who aren’t able to practice social distancing must take extra precautions in any way they can. For Spencer, this has meant giving up most of his allotted time on the yard to avoid contact with others as much as possible.

“I know things are crazy out there too, but we need more people to care about those of us in here who actually want to make it out and do better.We’re still human.”