Reform Alliance Sending Protective Gear To Prisons To Battle COVID-19

With increased cases of inmates and prison personnel contracting the COVID-19 virus at an alarming speed, organizations are preparing personal necessities equipment to help them battle against the illness. According to ABC News, REFORM Alliance—founded by Meek Mill, Jay-Z, and other criminal justice reform leaders—will administer 100,000 masks, with 50,000 of those being sent to Rikers Island.

In a statement given to the news site, the organization’s chief political officer at REFORM, Jessica Jackson, said there’s a crisis brewing within the country’s prison systems amid the novel coronavirus. “We are on the verge of a humanitarian crisis. There are horror stories coming from people in jails and prisons across the country,” Jackson said. “REFORM Alliance is seeking to help to get medical supplies into correctional facilities, and we’re also pushing Governors across the country to enact our SAFER Plan recommendations to get people out quickly and safely.”

The Tennessee Department of Corrections will receive 40,000 masks while 5,000 masks will be sent to Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman which has been a location of Team ROC’s focus given prior conditions that inmates are facing.

To stress how this virus can affect anyone, Meek Mill shared with his fanbase that his uncle is in the hospital battling the respiratory illness. “He was just healthy weeks ago!” Mill stated. In order to slow the virus’ spread, local state governments have issued stay-at-home orders for workers with non-essential jobs. The mandate was amplified to help alleviate some stress off of healthcare professionals that are working extensively long shifts to keep up with the number of patients in the hospitals.

My uncle called me from the hospital sounding like he critical condition from covid-19… He just was healthy weeks ago! Don’t go outside and walk a deadly virus in the house with your family! 🙏🏾🙏🏾 (fallback) pls

— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 2, 2020