Oregon Governor Kate Brown speaks to the press. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
TO Newsroom
UPDATE 6:45 PM PT – Thursday, February 4, 2021
A federal judge in Oregon issued a controversial ruling to provide COVID vaccines to inmates for seniors and teachers. In a recent ruling, US magistrate judge Stacie Beckerman sided with the Oregon Justice Resource Center in its class-action lawsuit, which alleged inmates are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
The lawsuit cited the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment for prisoners. The judge ordered inmates to be admitted to “Phase 1A” of the COVID vaccine distribution plan in Oregon. Gov. Katie Brown (D-Ore.) Said the state will not appeal the ruling.
Today, a hearing took place in response to our motion asking the court to compel Oregon DOC to offer vaccination to anyone in custody who wants it: AND IT IS ONLY GRANTED! This will be a huge relief to so many people within and their loved ones. #COVID-19 #orpol pic.twitter.com/pi4uBeJAzK
– Oregon Justice Resource Center (@OJRCenter) February 3, 2021
“More than 50% of people live in dormitories in the DOC,” said Juan Chavez, director of Oregon Justice Resource Center. “That’s a recipe for disease spread.”
The COVID Prison Project reported 3,400 coronavirus cases and more than 40 deaths among Oregon inmates.
Childcare providers and teachers are currently eligible for vaccinations, while seniors over 80 will have to wait until February 8.