Covid Peak: Inmate Death Rate 3.5 Times Higher Than General Population

A national study reveals that incarcerated people died almost three and a half times more frequently than the free population at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, with over 6,000 deaths reported. Despite a reduction in prison admissions, few releases were made, and older prisoners were particularly vulnerable. While some states took aggressive measures to mitigate the virus, others were less proactive. The federal government has not publicly released official statistics on deaths in correctional facilities, raising concerns about accountability and preparedness for future crises.