We are already hearing reports of incarcerated people, corrections officers, and medical staff testing positive in jails and prisons around the country. Everyone in these facilities are at risk to infection. Many people in prisons and jails have no access to hand sanitizer and struggle to pay for soap. Many of those same people are over the age of 50 and have chronic health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes. 

As our political leaders scramble to address one of the worst health crises the country has ever experienced, it is imperative that they prioritize the release of some of the country’s most vulnerable people from jails and prisons, where containing the spread of COVID-19 is simply not feasible.

Thankfully, state governors and House Bill 1532 House Patrons have the tools to address this potential health catastrophe before it spirals more out of control. Their clemency powers allow them to release people from prisons temporarily or permanently. By reintroducing House Bill 1532 and passing it, it can also do just that. These leaders can bring relief with the stroke of a pen. 

Virginia Department of Corrections has already passed a COVID-19 Early Release Plan as of April 22, 2020 however as of today they haven't released nearly enough to help slow down the spread of this virus. The way things look they may not be releasing no more than 300 people per the words of Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran. 

The already released inmates were due to be released in less than 60 days prior to the pandemic and the COVID-19 Early Release Plan but the COVID-19 Early Release Plan was just something to get loved ones hopes up as well as to get VADOC, Governor Ralph Northam, and Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran to look good for the media as if they were doing something to help the pandemic. Hopefully signing this petition to get House Bill 1532 reintroduced and passed can help get more incarcerated released sooner than later. 

Imprisonment is meant to punish by restricting liberty, not by exposure to illness and we all know the outcome this will have if this doesn't happen for the incarcerated who may be our family, friend, or loved one. My toddler son and I would love to reunite with my fiance who is incarcerated and know that he is safe and not at risk for contracting this deadly virus.