Marie Y. Lemelle, MBA - Contributing Writer
Nationwide there are approximately 200,000 incarcerated people age 55 and older who typically have lower recidivism rates, and now are at a high risk for COVID-19 complications. Photo credit: Free Thought Project
It is no secret that the prison system is overcrowded across America. Recent reports state that there are 2.3 million people incarcerated in the United States.
The United States Department of Justice latest statistics states that California has 114 jails in 58 counties. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Division of Correctional Policy Research and Internal Oversight Office of Research report dated April 1, 2020, the CDCR population is 122,000.
The jail and prison facilities’ close quarters do not allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mandated 6-foot physical distancing, which creates a breeding ground for the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the prison staff and inmates. Constant and consistent hand washing is also a challenge as most of the incarcerated population are denied adequate soap and effective cleaning supplies.
Ironically, in a New York City Prison facility, some of the state’s incarcerated individuals are bottling high-grade hand sanitizer 24 hours a day, in three eight-hour shifts, that they cannot use for their own health and safety. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is prohibited since it is considered contraband.
So how can those in the jail and prison systems be protected from the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve?
One answer is the April 8, 2020 modifications made by the CDCR. As stated in their recent COVID-19 Preparedness memorandum, the incarcerated population will still have access to medication, health care services, yard time with staggered schedules to allow distancing, canteen, packages, and cell-front religious programming. Showers and telephones will be disinfected between each use.
As a precautionary measure, in-person visitation for incarcerated youth was suspended on March 14. Beginning April 11, the CDCR Division of Juvenile Justice youth and their approved visitors will be able to conduct face-to-face visitation via Skype during the COVID-19 pandemic. Letter writing is encouraged, and free postage stamps are provided.
In a bigger picture, a long-term answer is to reduce the jail and prison population through the compassionate release of inmates who are elderly, at high risk due to underlying health issues, serving a sentence for non-violent crimes, or those that are either nearing the final six months of a sentence or approaching release on probation or parole.
While there is push back from elected local, state, and federal officials and the Department of Justice, there is a group of lawyers under the direction of Nina M. Riley, Esq. a California-based attorney, ready to procure the compassionate release of California inmates. Riley who is known as the "People's Attorney" because of her human rights work across the nation, has spearheaded AAA Law Solutions, Inc., a virtual law office located in Los Angeles, California.
"AAA Law Solutions was established because we value every human being’s life," said Riley. "We are here because we want to make a difference in the community by providing a network of attorneys who are experts in the legal field and available at a low cost."
This is a time of crisis for all people including those who are incarcerated and forgotten. Prison wardens and administrators have pointed out that they are unable to release inmates without a judicial order. To address the issue, Riley transitioned her law firm to an online environment to enable clients to speak to attorneys and law clerks, who are bi-lingual, by phone and through videoconferencing systems to get cases filed and processed without the necessity of traveling to their office.
The process is simple. A quick intake form can be filled out on behalf of the incarcerated individual, a video meeting is held with the client wherever the service is available, and the filing can be made immediately, sometimes within 48 hours." AAA Law Solutions provides free consultation with no obligation.
Leaving prison can be a very difficult journey and cause some concern in the community; therefore, Riley and her legal team have partnered with re-entry and transitional housing programs to offer counseling, short-term housing, job training, food assistance, chronic health treatment, spiritual and therapeutic resources. Riley and her team are also urging that the released incarcerated population should automatically be screened for COVID-19 for everyone’s safety.
"We want all the men and women to succeed and referring them to organizations that support the "second chance" philosophy is essential for their smooth transition and will reduce recidivism," said Riley.
Any organizations, local or across the nation, that can help with their transition, are encouraged to contact AAA Law Solutions to be included on the referral list.
Lawyers from across the nation are welcome to join forces with AAA Law Solutions to handle requests and cases from different states.
For more information about the virtual law solution, go to www.JailHop.com or www.JailFreePassCovid19.com or call (888) 576-1112.
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