COVID-19 Infections Continue To Climb in Federal Prisons While Declining Elsewhere
by Derek Gilna
CDC studies show that individuals in prisons are 4.7 times to contract and die from COVID-19 than the general population. There are many reasons for this and not just DOJ incompetence in controlling the virus. First, DOJ health care ranges from poor to non-existent, Second, as a result, studies also show that federal prisoners are not a healthy group, with a higher incidence of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, dementia and other mental illness, and other serious chronic illnesses that exponentially increase their chance of death from COVID-19, or even just a common influenza. Those with two or three such medical "co-morbidities," potentially death-causing conditions, are at increased risk.
And, if you do contract the virus and survive, studies have shown that it will seriously reduce your overall health and increase your chance of early death. New radiological evidence and scientific studies show that "COVID-19 can cause the body to attack itself," https://news.northwestern.edu /stories/2021/02/radiological-images-covid; https://abc11.com/health/medical-images-show-covid-attacking-body-new-study-finds/10350794/.
The other
wild card for prisoners is the newer strains of the virus, which may very well
be incubating in a prison near you.
Scientists have written that confined areas with high rates of
infection, low rates of vaccination, and which
have people traveling to and from are perfect spots for the new virus to
take hold. "Vaccination Delays Promotes Strains," Wall Street Journal,
There is
some evidence that this has already happened in
Studies
have shown that those who have "recovered," or show no active
symptoms, are often afflicted with "long COVID," a condition which is only starting to get
more attention. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-challenges-of-getting-long-covid-patients-back-to-work-11613350801.
Those with this condition are also prone to reinfections, as happened in
Serious outbreaks
continue at
The ACLU
and other prison reform advocates are ramping up the already considerable pressure
on Attorney General-Designate Garland, who is facing Congressional confirmation
hearings today. "Reducing the federal prison population will require
substantial changes to DOJ charging and sentencing policies," the ACLU
said in a letter to
In US v. Hogsett, 982 F,3d 463m (7rh Cir. 2020)
the court joined the First and Fourth Circuits,
which have already ruled that FSA modified 841(b)(1)(C) holding that any
crack offense qualifies for sentence relief. In US v.
One of the recurring issues is whether or not you have been wrongfully sentenced based upon ineffective assistance from your defense attorney. Here are five ways of analyzing your case to see if this was the case: (1 Your lawyer made decision without consulting you; (2 Your lawyer filed notices late; (3 Your lawyer behaved unprofessionally; (4. Your lawyer never responded to you; (5 Your lawyer got terminology or procedure wrong, perhaps showing cognitive decline (dementia); (6 Your lawyer never explained why you should or should not plead guilty/go to trial. There are of course other instances, which we would be pleased to review. There are time limits for such filings, generally one year after the completion of your direct appeal.
Be not afraid, and let not your heart be troubled.
