Oregon Gov. Kate Brown speaks to the press. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
In Writing
UPDATED 6:45 PM PT – Thursday, February 4, 2021
An Oregon federal judge has handed down a controversial ruling to provide COVID vaccines to inmates in front of seniors and teachers. In a recent ruling, U.S. Magistrate Magistrate Stacie Beckerman sided with the Oregon Justice Resource Center in her class action lawsuit, which assumed inmates had a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
The lawsuit cited the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishments to inmates. The judge ordered the inclusion of inmates in “Phase 1A” of the COVID vaccine distribution plan in Oregon. Gov. Katie Brown (D-Ore) said the state will not appeal the ruling.
A hearing was held today following our motion asking the court to compel the Oregon DOC to offer vaccination to all detainees who so wish: AND IT HAS BEEN GRANTED! This will be a great relief for so many people inside and their loved ones. # COVID19 #orpol pic.twitter.com/pi4uBeJAzK
– Oregon Justice Resource Center (@OJRCenter) February 3, 2021
“More than 50% of people live in dorms in the DOC,” said Oregon Justice Resource Center director Juan Chavez. “This is a recipe for spreading the disease.”
The COVID Prison Project reported 3,400 cases of coronavirus and more than 40 deaths among Oregon inmates.
Currently, childcare providers and teachers can receive vaccines, while those over 80 have to wait until February 8th.