Tell Your Representative: Pass HB 37 Now!

Incarcerated Delawareans live in congregate facilities in close contact with each other, officers, and staff, where there is no way to prevent an outbreak and the spread of a highly contagious disease. Despite the Department of Correction’s (DOC) best efforts, as of March 17, 2021, at least 2677 incarcerated people and staff combined have contracted COVID-19, and 13 incarcerated people have died.

In December, Representative Melissa Minor-Brown and Senator Marie Pinkney introduced legislation that would create a public health emergency credit to help save people who have to live and work in prisons through a pandemic or other large-scale public health emergency. Incarcerated people would receive a 4-month credit for each month served during the state of emergency, capped at 8 months.

Despite incredible public support, this legislation has not moved forward since January — effectively keeping incarcerated people and those who work in DOC facilities in harm’s way.

From day one of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health experts have recommended reducing the size of the prison population to contain the spread of COVID-19. Neighboring states, like Maryland and New Jersey have taken steps by executive order and/or legislative action to reduce the prison population.

We can’t wait any longer. It is time that Delaware leaders protect the lives of people living and working in our state correctional facilities by passing HB 37 in the House of Representatives.

Please take action now.

Message Recipient: Your House Representative

Swift action is needed by the House of Representatives to move HB 37 forward so Delaware can safely reduce the prison population and save lives. DON’T DELAY: ASK YOUR HOUSE REP TO #PASSHB37 NOW!

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Your Message

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Subject

Dear House Representative,

A prison sentence during a public health emergency shouldn’t be a death sentence, and yet thirteen people incarcerated in Delaware’s prisons have died from COVID-19. The House of Representatives must take swift action to release people from Delaware’s prisons as quickly and safely as possible by moving HB 37 forward in the next week so it can continue to the Senate for consideration.

Message Body

I urge you to vote yes on HB 37 which creates an emergency credit for those incarcerated that will expedite release for people who are due to complete their sentences within a year. Incarceration makes necessary precautions impossible, as the conditions of prisons and jails fuel the rapid spread of coronavirus. Safe and orderly releases will relieve pressure on staff and create better conditions for people who remain incarcerated.

From day one, public health experts have recommended reducing the size of the prison population to contain the spread of COVID-19. Neighboring states, like Maryland and New Jersey have taken steps by executive order and/or legislative action to reduce the prison population. Vaccine rollout has already seen unforeseen difficulties. Combining availability of the vaccine, the number of people who will decline the vaccine and the transient nature of the prison population means that prisons will remain hotspots for many more months to come. Now is not the time to let up on keeping incarcerated people safe. It is time that Delaware leaders protect the lives of people living and working in our state correctional facilities by passing HB 37 in the House of Representatives.

This is a crisis of public health, human dignity, and racial justice. I am counting on you to do everything in your power to pass HB 37 and save lives.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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Tell Your Representative: Pass HB 37 Now!

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