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It's pretty well understood this far into COVID that everybody's health is interconnected. So, the only explanation for @ErinOToole's take here is that he's OK risking *all* of our lives for the sake of seeming tough on *some* people.
It's a problem for many reasons. (Thread) https://twitter.com/erinotoole/status/1346620895125778438
It's a problem for many reasons. (Thread) https://twitter.com/erinotoole/status/1346620895125778438
Indigenous people make up almost a third of the prison population (and 50%+ in the prairie provinces) despite comprising about 1/20th of the whole population.
People who are poor and homeless are also overrepresented.
These groups face higher risks of COVID, too.
People who are poor and homeless are also overrepresented.
These groups face higher risks of COVID, too.
Not only are these groups at higher risk of contracting and transmitting infection when they're not incarcerated, they're at incredibly high risk of infection when they are. In the spring, mean daily case growth rate in US prisons was 8.3% vs 3.4% outside.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2768249
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2768249
Incarcerated people also experience greater morbidity and mortality from COVID. The higher risk of infection combined with the the higher risk of severe illness when infected means leaving people in prison unprotected imposes a huge burden on an overwhelmed health system.
Canadian prisons also see outbreaks. In Joyceville, for example, an outbreak was declared on Dec 17th. By the 21st, 89/450 incarcerated people + 5 staff were confirmed positive. https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/following-outbreaks-advocates-call-for-more-covid-19-safety-measures-in-prisons-1.5240608
Challenges with PPE availability, water and soap for handwashing, sanitizer, surface cleaning, ventilation and the obvious impossibility of physical distancing means *vaccination is the only real preventive measure in this population* unlike in others.
So that's the gist of the public health of it. If Mr. O'Toole didn't know all of that, fine.
But he has a proud history of service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and I always thought humane treatment of all people was one of the things the military fought for.
But he has a proud history of service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and I always thought humane treatment of all people was one of the things the military fought for.
High COVID transmission means no family visits, no lawyer visits (i.e., limited access to justice), cell lockdowns. Even if you think jails are rehabilitative (
) this kind of trauma doesn't bode well for a smooth road after prison, and it doesn't serve the purpose of justice.
) this kind of trauma doesn't bode well for a smooth road after prison, and it doesn't serve the purpose of justice.
Assuming reasonable responsibility for the general health and wellbeing of a person held against their will by a State isn't leftism. It's an International standard (written, one would think, to hold countries *less* free than Canada accountable).
https://www.lrwc.org/prisoners-the-right-to-medical-treatment-international-law-provisions-report/
https://www.lrwc.org/prisoners-the-right-to-medical-treatment-international-law-provisions-report/
It's clear. People who are incarcerated are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, and particularly vulnerable people are vaccination priorities in the interests of public health and the health system, whether they're in jail or not.
Mr. O'Toole's take is just wrong and inhumane.
Mr. O'Toole's take is just wrong and inhumane.
