05-26-20 Council Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING May 26, 2020 complicate the prevention and detection of infectious disease outbreaks. A timely response to reported and observed symptoms is needed to interrupt viral transmission, yet delays in testing, diagnosis, and access to care are dangerous in jails and prisons; and, Whereas, statistics released by IDOC already reveal at least two hundred and seventy-eight (278) staff members and six hundred and five(605)incarcerated persons testing positive for COVID-19 with two(2)confirmed or presumed deaths for staff members and sixteen (16) confirmed or presumed deaths of incarceratedersons from COVID-19; and Whereas, these numbers continue to increase and are p likely understated due to the limited number of diagnostic tests performed on this population; and, Whereas, health systems and other resources are already severely taxed by the daily exponential increase in COVID-19 cases; and, Whereas, intensive care unit (ICU) bed space is reaching capacity. Rapid, disastrous outbreaks in Indiana jails and prisons will put further strain on the already saturated healthcare system as infected individuals are transferred for treatment to local hospitals, thereby exacerbating issues of containment of the virus and put more members of our community at risk; and, Whereas, incarcerated persons are one (1) of society's most medically neglected and vulnerable populations; and, Whereas, within this population are even more vulnerable persons including those who are sixty-five (65) and older and those with underlying health conditions; and, Whereas the World Health Organization states that "The rights of all affected people must be upheld, and all public health measures must be carried out without discrimination of any kind. People in prisons and other places of detention are not only likely to be more vulnerable to infection with COVID-19, they are also especially vulnerable to human rights violations..." It is the State's responsibility to protect incarcerated people; and, Whereas, all people under the control of the State are entitled to the protection of the State. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. continued, Now, Therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section One(I) Governor Eric J. Holcomb is called upon to initiate a more robust and compassionate plan, similar to plans initiated by the Federal government and the governments of several other states. Section Two(II)This plan should include, at a minimum,the following points: 1) Provide diagnostic testing and medical care for all COVID-19 related illnesses, free of charge,to all incarcerated persons together with those released under this plan. 2) Work with judges for the immediate release of as many people as possible from the Indiana State Prison system — in particular those sixty-five plus (65+), those with underlying health conditions, those due to be released within the next twelve to fifteen (12-15) months, and those who are low level nonviolent offenders. 3) Assign signature bonds to everyone currently held on bail or pretrial detention. 4) Guarantee conditions of release with the least restrictions possible, discouraging the use of electronic monitoring. 5) Provide testing for everyone who traffics in and out of Indiana State Prison including staff and personnel that work at the prisons. 6) Require the availability of sufficient soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizer for incarcerated individuals without charge. 7) Ensure those released have access to trauma informed community- based services in order to help stabilize their transition back to society. 8) Conduct a needs assessment in collaboration with social workers and community organizations to determine what resources and support may be needed for individuals prior to release. 9) Provide free video and phone calls to individuals in Indiana Prisons until they are released, in light of in-person visitation being suspended; and 10) Withhold the transfer of incarcerated individuals from one(1) prison to another, and from one (1) cell block to another as this would do more to increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission than curb its spread. Section Three (III) The plan should be initiated immediately in order to protect not only incarcerated persons and staffs at prisons and jails, but also the community at large which will inevitably be adversely affected by the continuing spread of the disease within prisons and jails. Councilmember Lori K. Hamann, 2658 Tomahawk Trail, South Bend, IN, served as a presenter for this bill. Councilmember Lori K. Hamann urged the Council to consider the populations most effected by COVID, specifically the individuals referenced in the above Ordinance. Council Members had the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters and there was brief dialogue had between Council Members. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bills, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. requested a letter of support be read into the public record. 6