February 21, 2023 – Newly available data shows prison deaths increased by nearly 50% in the primary yr of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In six states, deaths have greater than doubled, in keeping with figures from UCLA researchers. Data project “Law Behind Bars”.
The death rate exceeded the expansion rate in nursing homes. It was greater than twice the rise in the overall US population.
The New York Times reported that the death rate amongst prisoners in state and federal prisons had increased as a result of several aspects, including the aging of the prison population, a shortage of prison staff, and medical personnel who were unprepared for the pandemic.
In 2020, no less than 6,182 people died in prisons. In 2019, the number was 4,240. The variety of prisoners fell from over 1.4 million to around 1.3 million during this era.
West Virginia had the best death rate, at 96 per 10,000 prisoners. Researchers said “long prison sentences, harsh conditions and overall relatively poor public health” contributed to this. The times reported.
“Of course, the pandemic is at the core of the story, but it’s only part of the story,” said Aaron Littman, assistant professor and deputy director of the UCLA project.
Texas, the state with the best prison population within the country, recorded 48 deaths per 10,000 residents, up from 28 the previous yr.
California, which ranks second when it comes to prison population, recorded 43 deaths per 10,000 in 2020, up from 32 previously.
“It's important that we as a public know what's happening in facilities that incarcerate people in our name,” Littman said. “But unfortunately that's never been the case to the extent that it needs to be, and it's gotten worse over time.”