NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Even though parts of the state are reopening, it does not mean that the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in jails has vanished,” said Benjamin Stevenson, staff attorney at the ACLU of Florida.
BROWARD, FL– The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of Florida and the Disability Rights Florida filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of individuals being held in dangerous conditions in Broward County Jail that threaten to speed the spread of the coronavirus among prisoners and staff.
“Even though parts of the state are reopening, it does not mean that the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in jails has vanished,” said Benjamin Stevenson, staff attorney at the ACLU of Florida.
“The ACLU has had litigation at the Broward County jail for more than a quarter of a century due to unconstitutional conditions in this jail,” said Anjana Samant, senior staff attorney at the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project.
“Many individuals with disabilities are particularly medically vulnerable to serious injury or death due to COVID-19, may not be able to avoid close contact with others due to care needs related to limited mobility, and may have difficulty understanding or practicing preventative measures such as wearing a mask or maintaining a safe distance from others,” said Disability Rights Florida Senior Staff Attorney Curtis Filaroski.
