JUST recently received a letter from 21 persons incarcerated in the Broome County Jail, appealing for assistance from COVID promoting conditions in the jail. This comes on the heels of women in the jail demanding relief from brutal conditions, particularly for pregnant and Black women, that led to a rally on their behalf outside the Broome County Building on January 20, 2022.
The incarcerated person’s letter was sent as they requested to the State Commission of Correction and Health Department and other local elected authorities and media. The letter is reproduced below, as is the JUST cover letter.
Letter from Incarcerated:
February 26, 2022
Sirs/Madam,
Please take notice and be advised that:
It has come to our attention that a number of officers have contracted COVID. This poses a great threat to the health and well-being of each and every prisoner of Broome County Jail. There are prisoners who have COVID and yet the facility tells the family members that they don’t have COVID. Blatantly lying to the families. They (the officers of Broome County Jail and Administration) quarantines a housing unit if a few COVID cases arise, yet they keep COVID and non-COVID alike locked down, together.
It is not a hard decision to make as to what is the best course of action. It is more than abundantly clear that it is a possible, and very probable Death Sentence to Class A-/B- misdemeanors, Low Class E- and D- felonies (non-violent), unqualified offenses and those with low sentences with a chance for rehabilitation, and those with a release date of “soon.” A Death Sentence that is undue, unwarranted, and unreasonable. Making the holding of these individuals “Cruel and Unusual Punishment.” Therefore it is clear that non-violent and D-E felonies and A-misdemeanors, technical parole and probation violations, should be released.
To be held in these pandemic times is to be essentially given a death sentence.
We ask for intervention, we ask for relief, we send out an S.O.S (Save our Souls). Do not let the COVID pandemic be our undoing. Prisoners are people too. The practice here is inhumane. We are being subjected to a great risk, sacrificed for the sake of prison (big business).
Respectfully,
21 signatures of persons incarcerated in the Broome County Jail (names redacted)
JUST cover letter:
POB 93, Bible School Park, NY 13737
Email: justice.southern.tier@gmail.com
Web: www.justiceST.com
Facebook: tinyurl.com/JUST-ST
February 28, 2022
We write at the behest of 21 persons incarcerated in the Broome County Jail who continue to be deeply concerned about COVID conditions. We attach their letter. We redact all but one name, knowing (as documented in lawsuits as well) that those who grieve conditions have been subject to retribution including solitary and physical abuse.
As you can see from our past investigations and data acquired by Freedom-of-Information requests—see our website www.justiceST.com and this report in particular https://www.justicest.com/index.php/cover-ups-and-covid-19-in-the-broome-county-jail/ —
COVID has greatly worsened medical conditions inside the county jail for over two years. It has made solitary confinement for 23 hours and 15 minutes a day in a cell the standard response to any sickness, and for whole pods. And despite these conditions few staff are vaccinated, and many have long openly disdained to use masks. Incarcerated persons report being refused vaccinations. In-person visitation continues to be closed, despite distanced visitation being open in all state prisons and in other jails around the state.
Even worse, worried families must rely on expensive video calls to maintain contact with their loved ones. Even the ability to call in has been cut off, as have been food shipments from vendors, bras, and thermal underwear (the jail is cold). Women, particularly Black and pregnant women, have mounted collective protests. The County has lost a stream of lawsuits in the past, and is currently facing new wrongful death and abuse of younger prisoners lawsuits. There is no effective oversight by the state.
We ask you to intervene as those inside request, including the release of as many persons as possible from these inhumane conditions.
Sincerely,
Justice and Unity for the Southern Tier
www.justiceSt.com