Inside crowded prisons, jails, and detention centers, people wait. They know the coronavirus will find its way in, a possible death sentence. Like waiting for a hurricane to hit, said one incarcerated person from Florida. Like a toxic gas release, said another in Ohio. Fear, stress, and tempers rise as lockdowns curtail recreation, family visits, and three hot meals. Social distancing is impossible. Access to hygiene products and medical care is unreliable. On the outside, families are desperate for information as they advocate for their loved ones. As of October 1, more than 137,000 incarcerated people had COVID-19, and more than 1,100 had died. But that’s probably an undercount, as many facilities don’t provide testing.
Vera asked people involved in the criminal legal system to reflect on how the pandemic has impacted them. These stories bring us behind prison walls and into emotional lives. The photos were taken by family members and friends.