Take action with Temple Jeremiah to protect one of the most vulnerable groups in this moment of pandemic. The Temple is partnering with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-IL) on a call-in campaign to demand that, in response to COVID-19, Cook County officials dramatically lower the number of people held in jail. 

As of April 20, there were 4,235 people incarcerated in Cook County Jail. Nearly 400 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 and 6 have lost their lives. Earlier this month, the New York Times identified the jail as a hot spot of the coronavirus infection, noting that current statistics likely do not represent the true extent of the problem, because many inmates have not been tested for the disease.

People held in jail are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, as correctional facilities are known to quickly spread contagious diseases. Since incarcerated people are already confined in close quarters and are unable to avoid contact with other prisoners or staff who have been infected, they have limited ability to avoid the spread of infectious disease. Locking down facilities or placing people in solitary confinement is ineffective and punitive, and can severely harm physical and mental health.

Failure to dramatically reduce the number of people in Cook County Jail will result in more needless deaths, not only inside the jail itself, but also within the broader Chicago community as the health care system becomes overwhelmed. Cook County officials must take decisive action to address this public health emergency. In particular, Cook County officials must expedite bail hearings, curb new admissions jail, and release all pre-trial detainees who are qualified for bail, as well as others who have not been found to be a safety risk to someone else.

As people of faith, this is a moral issue of life and death. We must send a message to elected officials that we demand action during this public health crisis, we are watching, and we will hold decision-makers accountable for lives lost.

For more information about this issue, contact RAC-IL Lead Organizer Julie Webb at jwebb@rac.org or click here.