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People who are incarcerated have an increased risk of (1) acquiring, (2) transmitting, (3) being hospitalized, and (4) dying of COVID-19. 1/
The data simply reject an implication that a group called "criminals" is mutually exclusive from a group called "vulnerable Canadians." In fact, there is substantial overlap. 2/
We have seen outbreaks in prisons, people in prisons hospitalized/dying of COVID-19, and transmission from people who are incarcerated to non-incarcerated populations. (And aside from that, necessary healthcare is a human right under UN and Canadian frameworks.) 3/
The health of prisoners is important in and of itself; while appeals to risks and costs felt by the "general population" are evidence-based and important, we should provide needs-based healthcare in prisons regardless. 4/
Numerous expert bodies at international, national and provincial levels have stated than people who are incarcerated should be a priority population for COVID-19 vaccination, considering both individual and community impacts. 5/
Bravo to @emilietaman and @mspratt for a great podcast discussion of this issue on The Docket. http://www.michaelspratt.com/poadcast-legal-matters/ 6/
Further applause to @coleenlisa for this analysis: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-what-erin-otoole-is-really-saying-when-he-says-criminals-shouldnt-get/ 7/
Great coverage of the topic by @Justin_Ling: https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3g5ym/canadian-conservatives-erindont-want-inmates-vaccinated-advocates-say-that-might-be-illegal ("The statement, which has turned the vaccine rollout into a partisan issue, was slammed by prisoner advocates, calling it reprehensible and dismaying.") 8/
From the J Ling article^, quoting @TomEngel18 (Cdn Prison Law Assoc Pres.): "The health and safety of prisoners and the general public are intertwined. Outbreaks in prison can strain the already overburdened health care system." #cdnhealth #prisonhealth #SDoH #publichealth 9/9
