Health care in jails and prisons is terrible. The pandemic made it even worse.

Vox, June 28, 2022: Health care in jails and prisons is terrible. The pandemic made it even worse.

“When 25-year-old Clayton McCray was sent to jail in September 2019, he had no idea the detention would end up costing him his leg. But that’s what happened, in large part because the pandemic exacerbated his poor medical treatment behind bars. …

“Health care in US jails and prisons was generally abysmal before the pandemic, and it appears to have fallen further, even for those who were not among the astronomical number of people sickened or killed by Covid-19 while incarcerated.

“Basic requests for medical treatment often went unanswered as facilities stopped outside and specialist appointments and attempted to navigate severe staffing shortages, according to our reporting. Even as the initial crisis of the pandemic’s arrival has waned, many behind bars are still suffering the effects of denied or postponed care.”

Additional reading:

ACLU, July 8, 2022: Federal Judge Finds Arizona’s Prison Health Care Is "Plainly Grossly Inadequate" and Unconstitutional

GPB News, July 8, 2022: With few other resources, people with behavioral health issues find treatment in jails and prisons

UCSF, July 5, 2022: Overcrowding, Old Buildings Fueled COVID Surge in California Prisons