#StopCDCROutbreak Toolkit

As of January 25th 2022, there are 5,374 incarcerated people in California with active COVID cases and 4,764 staff. 246 incarcerated people and 50 staff have lost their lives due to the virus. Beyond the numbers, our community behind bars (including those in jails and ICE detention centers) continue to endure mental health crises, grief and trauma after nearly two years of incarceration during a global pandemic. Though the Omicron surge may appear to be leveling off across the state, it’s only begun to affect our state prisons. 

We are witnessing the direct impact of overcrowded prisons (CDCR is currently 111.6% above capacity) and Governor Gavin Newsom’s opposition to the court ordered vaccine mandate for all prison staff. We need to prioritize the health and safety of our incarcerated community members. We need #ReleasesNow. 

Action Items

Organizational Sign On Letter

The #StopSanQuentinOutbreak Coalition drafted two sign-on letters, calling on Governor Newsom and CDCR Secretary Allison to grant urgent releases in response to the latest wave of COVID-19 outbreaks across California state prisons. Read the Letters Here

Call/Email Script

Use this email and call script to advocate to CDCR Secretary Allison and the Ombudsman for urgent releases.

Share the Habeas Survey Report

Following the Habeas evidentiary hearing, we gathered thoughts and direction from people incarcerated at San Quentin. Insights from this survey help us understand the current conditions of confinement at San Quentin State Prison. 

Graphics & Tweets

For Twitter sized graphics and image descriptions, click here

Incarcerated people across California state prisons are experiencing another COVID  surge because CDCR staff  refuse to get vaccinated #StopCDCROutbreak #ReleasesNow bit.ly/CDCROutbreakToolkit

As of January 24 there are over 5,500 active COVID cases among incarcerated people and 4,676 among prison staff in California. #ReleasesNow bit.ly/CDCROutbreakToolkit

At Pelican Bay State Prison, 81% of incarcerated people are vaccinated, but only 49% of staff. Incarcerated people are paying for CDCR’s negligence. #ReleasesNow #StopCDCROutbreak bit.ly/CDCROutbreakToolkit 

2 judges found the CDCR violated the 8th Amendment during the 2020 San Quentin Outbreak. Now, prisons across the state are experiencing another outbreak. Governor Newsom is STILL opposing the court ordered vaccine mandate for prison staff. We need #ReleasesNow. #StopCDCROutbreak, bit.ly/VaxArticle

Unvaccinated correctional officers and overcrowded prisons are putting our incarcerated community members across California in danger of COVID AGAIN. #ReleasesNow #StopCDCROutbreak bit.ly/VaxArticle

 “I feel like I’m being locked down because people don’t wanna take the vaccine.”-Rahsaan Thomas, Ear Hustle host, San Quentin State Prison.  bit.ly/VaxArticle

“What happened the first time around was a travesty. What’s going to happen the second time around?” – Daniel Alem, San Quentin State Prison. 
bit.ly/VaxArticle

“What I need for my health, wellbeing and safety is my freedom.” – Person incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison #ReleasesNow #StopCDCROutbreak bit.ly/CDCROutbreakToolkit

“This prison is almost 180 years old, the whole area is full of lead and asbestos. There’s constant maintenance issues. Freedom after 27 years would certainly help my health and safety and wellbeing tremendously.” – Person incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison  #ReleasesNow #StopCDCROutbreak
bit.ly/CDCROutbreakToolkit

Reducing overcrowding in prisons is the only actual public health solution to the COVID outbreak and protecting our incarcerated community members. CDCR must reduce the population, we need #ReleasesNow. bit.ly/CDCROutbreakToolkit

Incarcerated people are dying of #COVID at 5x the rate of staff. We need #ReleasesNow bit.ly/CDCROutbreakToolkit

Articles

Soaring COVID-19 cases put people who are incarcerated at risk of getting sick and perpetuates a seemingly endless cycle of highly restrictive lockdowns. (bit.ly/OmicronCDCR)

As of Jan. 19, there have been 58,490 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the CDCR system, of which 5,960 are active in custody. There have been 246 COVID-related deaths thus far. 
Click here to read

The latest surge tied to the omicron variant is fueling an exploding COVID-19 outbreak at San Quentin State Prison, prompting concern among health officials and advocates.
Click here to read

The new Omicron variant, which reportedly broke out in SQ’s Alpine and H-Units early January, is now spreading throughout the North and West Block housing units even though the prison was placed on a 15-day lockdown last week along with other California prisons..
Click here to read

Resources

The COVID19 CDCR Dashboard shows that 61,643 people inside CDCR facilities have had COVID.

View latest updates on incarcerated people here, and staff cases here.

The legal team that filed the habeas petitions for incarcerated people at San Quentin State Prison have created this updated habeas petition template, specific to  the Omicron outbreak. This source is specific to people at San Quentin State Prison. We will share a statewide resource once available.

PDF Template here
Word Template here

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