FIRST U.S. PRISON COVID DEATH A DRUG OFFENDER

The Drug Policy Alliance mourned the death of Patrick Jones, a 49-year old man serving a 27 year sentence for drug-related offenses. He was the first Covid-19 fatality in the U.S. prison system.

“There are 450,000 people currently incarcerated for a drug related charge, and even if you released them all it would not be enough to flatten the curve in the criminal legal system. In Mr. Jones’ facility alone, a total of 30 incarcerated individuals and staff have tested positive for COVID-19. There will be more Patrick Jones’.”