Formerly incarcerated leaders applaud federal bill to protect incarcerated people during disasters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sep. 30, 2020

Contact: Loretta Kane (917-410-7242 or loretta@caminopr.com)

Formerly incarcerated leaders applaud federal bill to protect incarcerated people during disasters

Statement of JustLeadershipUSA President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins

NEW YORK — Today, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduced the “Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act,” a bill that will require the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and National Institute of Correction (NIC) Advisory Board to take measures to ensure the health and safety of people in federal prisons during presidentially declared disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires. In response, JustLeadershipUSA President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins issued the following statement:

“We applaud Sen. Duckworth’s ‘Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act,’ for taking desperately needed action to protect formerly incarcerated people during life-threatening disasters. As communities evacuate to safety from impending natural disasters, incarcerated people are too often left behind — sometimes to die.

“Too many incarcerated people face the dual dangers of the pandemic coupled with hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters. Due to the federal government’s indifference to climate change and the basic human rights of people in federal custody, incarcerated people have repeatedly been put at risk. Adding insult to injury, those incarcerated people who survive are often used to clean up communities in the aftermath of storms or fight the next fire — with practically no pay.

“Sen. Duckworth’s recommendation to expand the NIC Advisory Board by permanently appointing a formerly incarcerated person is absolutely essential to protect the lives of incarcerated people. The bill’s recommendation to provide federal incentives for states and local governments to adopt emergency management policies is central to the JustLeadershipUSA #JustUS campaign and will help save more lives.

“This new legislation acknowledges the humanity of incarcerated people and will take important steps to implement and improve emergency procedures to save lives. Long overdue, we urge Congress to pass this bill now — before the next disaster hits and more lives are lost.“

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The JustLeadershipUSA #JustUs campaign works to ensure that incarcerated people are protected in the event of human-made or natural disasters. The campaign offers comprehensive solutions to protect the safety and lives of incarcerated people.