The Rev. Jesse Jackson joined different black pastors and leaders as a part of a countrywide coalition Saturday to pen an open letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to check all 2.2 million folks for COVID-19 which are incarcerated within the nation all the way through the pandemic, and asking the president to imagine liberating folks arrested on nonviolent offenses as they wait for trial.
“In prison, there are too many people in proximity to each other who do not have the option of social distancing and there are literally millions of persons incarcerated who were arrested, but not convicted, who are languishing in prison awaiting trial,” Jackson wrote within the letter.
The coalition, led through the Rev. Frederick D. Haynes II, senior pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church in Dallas, mentioned the movements have been geared toward lowering the rustic’s jail inhabitants to mitigate the unfold of COVID-19.
“They are a captive audience and should not be devoured by the virus should someone in prison have it and spread it,” Jackson says within the letter.
Jackson mentioned he used to be in particular fascinated with individuals who have been in custody on nonviolent offenses, however proceed to be held forward of trial as a result of they are able to’t manage to pay for to publish bail, pronouncing that staying in jail for the ones folks is usually a “death sentence.”
While the president may order reforms at federal amenities, Trump may handiest be offering steerage for native officers, over which he has no authority.
Jackson’s letter comes a month after he spoke with Trump over the telephone to invite for COVID-19 checking out and suitable social distancing measures in prisons.
The name used to be spurred through a prior letter to the White House, and then Trump mentioned he’d take the recommendation “under serious consideration,” Jackson mentioned after their name.
Here’s Jackson’s newest letter to Trump:
Dear Mr. President,
As you’re more and more making transparent to the American folks, the coronavirus may be very critical and spreading briefly world wide and throughout our nation. As this pandemic spreads, you’re giving us the right kind cooperative and voluntary protocols: keep house, wash your palms continuously and apply social distancing.
Not everybody can do that. Specifically, I need to elevate a priority with you about those that are incarcerated and can not apply social distancing—i.e., the jail inhabitants. In jail there are too many of us in proximity to one another who shouldn’t have the choice of social distancing and there are actually thousands and thousands of individuals incarcerated who have been arrested, however no longer convicted, who’re languishing in jail waiting for trial. My fear is in particular with the ones arrested for non-violent crimes.
If one customer has already transmitted the virus to an inmate, that inmate could have transmitted it to any other inmate and that trend may put many, if no longer all the jail inhabitants in jeopardy as a result of “social distancing” isn’t an choice for prisoners. Jail may turn into an incubator and dying sentence for the ones incarcerated.
I’m urging you to imagine right away checking out the two.2 million individuals recently incarcerated. They are a captive target market and must no longer be wolfed through the virus must anyone in jail have it and unfold it. And please imagine liberating the ones arrested for non-violent offenses who’re nonetheless incarcerated, however no longer convicted, after they’ve been examined for the virus in order that they don’t endanger the well being of alternative inmates or most of the people if they’re launched. We can not depart the ones with out healthcare to threaten the healthcare of all. Non-violent offenders must be launched, monitored and no longer put the general public’s well being in jeopardy. We want executive motion on this regard and I’m depending on you to take it.
Feel unfastened to touch me by the use of my Chief of Staff John Mitchell at (773) 383-9589 when you have any questions.
Thank you to your attention.