CENTRAL CITY, Ky. — For the last month, we’ve been bringing you photos from inside Green River Correctional Complex, and reaction from inmates and their families worried about conditions. Despite efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, inmates at the state prison told us they’re still living in dangerous conditions, with their physical and mental health in jeopardy.
“Honestly, it’s torture," said James Adams, an inmate at Green River Correctional Complex.
Behind bars, Adams said he lives in constant fear of COVID-19.
“There’s no way for us to social distance in here," he said.
During a nearly 20-minute phone call, he described his reality at Green River Correctional Complex. He’s serving a sentence on convictions of burglary, wanton endangerment, and possession of a stolen firearm.
“It’s been very trying," Adams said.
In early May, the entire prison was tested for coronavirus. More than 400 staff and inmates tested positive. Three inmates who tested positive died. Since then, Adams said getting medical attention has been more difficult.
“I’ve got some chest issues, some heart issues. It’s just not been looked into during this whole thing," said Adams.
He said it’s also become harder to submit grievances.
He told us for 23 hours and 40 minutes a day, they’re in their cells, isolated and without a voice.
“I have a hard time believing that this is actually happening," he said.
His father told us he's worried about the future.
“Because apparently it’s not getting any better," said Kevin Adams, James Adams' father.
In response, Lisa Lamb, a spokesperson with Kentucky’s Department of Corrections, told us they’re diligently monitoring the situation and partnering with health officials to contain the spread of COVID-19. Inmates can still formally submit grievances, but because of the need for social distancing, parts of the process have been suspended. She said Green River’s numbers have stabilized as a result of safety measures, which include suspended visitation, rigorous cleaning, and cloth masks for all inmates and staff. Inmates have also been separated into different buildings on the prison campus, based on their COVID-19 test results. But Adams said it’s a far from perfect system.
“It’s such a challenge because you have so many people living in a very small environment," said Kathleen Winter, a University of Kentucky professor of epidemiology, studying disease control and prevention.
For those in our correctional system, she said cramped quarters means more risk for outbreaks.
“It’s very difficult to do disease control effectively," she said.
Adams said he sees only one option.
“The only answer is to let some of these guys go, the guys that are medically vulnerable. Otherwise this whole process is just going to continue to get worse.”
Last month, Governor Beshear granted early release of more than 1,000 state inmates. Many of them were near the end of their sentences and about a third were deemed especially vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. We’re asking the Governor’s Office whether more early releases follow. We’ll let you know those answers when we get them.
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