Oregon Governor Kate Brown speaks to the press. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
TO Newsroom
UPDATED 18:45 PT – Thursday, February 4, 2021
An Oregon federal judge has issued a controversial ruling to offer COVID vaccines to inmates in front of seniors and teachers. In a recent ruling, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman joined the Oregon Justice Resource Center in its class action lawsuit, which assumed that detainees are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
The trial cited the eighth amendment, which bans cruel and unusual punishments for detainees. The judge ordered the detainees to be included in “Phase 1A” of the COVID vaccine distribution plan in Oregon. Governor Katie Brown (D-Ore.) Said the state will not contest the decision.
A hearing was held today following our motion asking the court to compel the Oregon DOC to offer vaccination to all those in custody who want it: AND IT’S JUST GRANTED! It will be a great relief for so many people inside and for their loved ones. # COVID-19 #orpol pic.twitter.com/pi4uBeJAzK
– Oregon Justice Resource Center (@OJRCenter) February 3, 2021
“More than 50 percent of people live in DOC homes,” said Juan Chavez, director of the Oregon Justice Resource Center. “This is a recipe for the spread of the disease.”
The COVID prison project reported 3,400 cases of coronavirus and more than 40 deaths among Oregon prisoners.
Childcare providers and teachers are currently eligible to receive vaccines, while those over 80 must wait until February 8th.