We learned very little from ODRC Director Chambers-Smith ‘report’ at today’s press briefing, and we are incredibly disappointed and concerned that members of the Ohio news media were denied the opportunity to ask her directly about the crises in Ohio’s state prisons, where 31 people have died. Testing is not enough.
Our prisons are nationwide hot spots. Additionally, prison facility numbers are starting to climb. Without quick, decisive, and comprehensive action to reduce our prison population, the spread of COVID19 will continue and more lives will likely be lost. Releasing or diverting ~1,300 people from our overcrowded prison system is woefully in adequate. While praise continues to rain down, we believe this response has been a failure.
