March 30, 2020.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution has reported that the coronavirus has reached at least 10 of Georgia’s prisons, with 22 staff and inmates testing positive for the virus. The situation is not much better at jails across the state, with 9 inmates at the Fulton County jail testing positive since Sunday. Late last week, Georgia saw its first inmate death from coronavirus.
The news has increased calls for governors and other government officials to formulate plans to release low-level inmates who are especially at risk of severe illness from COVID-19. So far, Governor Kemp has no plans for any early releases or other forms of relief for inmates in Georgia’s crowded prisons and jails. Some county officials are taking action, however, as Fulton County recently released 33 non-violent inmates, with more under review.
Read the article at the AJC here.