With the increasing rate of Coronavirus outbreaks, many people have come forward suggesting the release of some prisoners. Joaquin Phoenix was recently seen addressing Gov Andrew Cuomo to show leniency towards the NY captives. The actor fears that the scope for social distancing in a prison is limited, and may contribute to a wider spread of the virus among the inmates. Phoenix says, “No one deserves to die in prison from COVID -19”.
Melissa DeRosa in a recent interview has said that a process for releasing prisoners has begun, with a guideline mentioning the category of inmates who are to be released. Inmates who haven’t committed any form of sexual abuse or brutal felony, or have less than 90 days left and are of 55 years and above; are permitted to release.
Van Jones had been seen promoting the same idea of ‘compassionate release’ for inmates who have committed less heinous crimes.
Many positive cases of Coronavirus have been reported from prisons worldwide. However, the Supermax prison in Colorado is the only person with no reported positive cases.
