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The Criminal Legal System & COVID-19

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People in jail are highly vulnerable to outbreaks of contagious illnesses. They are housed in close quarters and are often in poor health. And, many people in Maine’s jails are older and more vulnerable to medical risks. Without the active engagement of the jail administration, they have little ability to inform themselves about preventive measures, or to take such measures if they do manage to learn of them.

Statements & Letters

Coalition letter to Gov. Mills & Commissioner Liberty re: protecting incarcerated Mainers from COVID-19

Press Release: Broad Network Demands Immediate Actions to Protect Incarcerated Mainers from COVID-19 Outbreak

ACLU/MACDL letter to Chiefs of the Supreme Court, Superior Court, and District Court

Statement to Courts: Sharon McDonnell, MD

Statement to Courts: Lani Graham, MD

Press Release: ACLU of Maine Calls on Criminal Justice System Actors to Reduce Incarcerated Populations

ACLU letter to jail administrators

ACLU letter re: COVID-19 and the Criminal Justice System

Cases

Denbow v. Liberty

Denbow v. State

Blog Posts

Police, Prosecutors, Sheriffs, Parole Officers, and Governors can Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 — Here’s How

Other Resources

Drs. Lani Graham and Sharon McDonnell: State must reduce populations in jails, prisons (Press Herald)

Editorial: Shrink Maine’s prison population to fight COVID (Press Herald)

Maine Judicial Branch: Court Alerts, Emergency Orders & Notices

Stay informed

The ACLU's Response to a Second Trump Administration

Trump Memos
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