On March 12, we sent a letter to Governor Bullock and the Director of the Montana Department of Corrections, Reginald Michael, urging them to immediately develop evidence-based and proactive plans for the prevention and management of COVID-19 in the Montana Department of Corrections and county jails in Montana.
People in prisons and jails are highly vulnerable to outbreaks of contagious illnesses. They are housed in close quarters and are sometimes in poor health. Without the active engagement of the prison administration, they have little ability to inform themselves about preventive measures or to take such measures if they do manage to learn of them.
It is essential that all government officials follow the experts’ recommendations to help ensure a response plan that protects the health, safety, and civil liberties of all, including people in Montana’s prisons and jails.
