The governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, speaks to the press. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
TO Newsroom
UPDATE 18:45 PT – Thursday 4 February 2021
A federal judge in Oregon has made a controversial decision to supply COVID vaccines to inmates in front of senior citizens and teachers. In a recent ruling, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman joined the Oregon Justice Resource Center in his lawsuit, in which alleged inmates run a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
The case cited the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment of prisoners. The judge ordered that prisoners be included in ‘Phase 1A’ of the COVID vaccine distribution plan in Oregon. Government Katie Brown (D-Ore.) Said the state will not appeal against the ruling.
A trial took place today following our motion in which the court was asked to force DOC of Oregon to offer vaccination to anyone in custody who wants it: AND IT IS JUST GRANTED! This is a tremendous relief for so many people inside and their loved ones. # COVID-19 #pol pic.twitter.com/pi4uBeJAzK
– Oregon Justice Resource Center (@OJRCenter) 3 February 2021
“More than 50% of people live in dormitories in the DOC,” said Oregon Justice Resource Center director Juan Chavez. “It’s a recipe for spreading disease.”
The COVID prison project reported 3,400 cases of coronavirus and more than 40 deaths among Oregon prisoners.
Childcare providers and teachers can currently receive vaccinations, while seniors older than 80 have to wait until February 8th.