FIRE BUT DENIES THAT A BROKE ANY LAWS. CHSEOO INSIDE THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY JAIL’S FIRST DAKOTA OUTBREAK AND NOW A HUNGER STRIKE WITH INMATES. WE ARE NOW HEARING ABOUT THE COVID-19 CONCERNS FROM ONE INMATE WHO’S INSIDE A SACRAMENTO COUNTY JAIL AS CASEY WAS JASON. SHOWS US TONIGHT INMATES ARE NOW CALLING FOR AN OUTSIDE INMATES INSIDE THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY JAIL SAY THEY’RE SCARED FOR THEIR SAFETY. LAST WEEK THE COUNTY SDAI 75 INMATES TESTED POSITIVE THAT NUMBER JUMPED UP TO 94 ACTIVE CA SES BY TUESDAY AT THE SAME TIME A 76 YEAR OLD IN MAY. AWAYFT AER HAVING COVI D.NOW SOME IATNMES ARE FED UP AN THEY’RE REFUSING TO BE FED. SOCEURSNS IIDE THE RIO CONSUMES CORRECTIONAL CENTER SAY THE HUNGER STRIKE WILL LAST UNTIL AN OUTSIDE AGENCY COMES IN AND LOOKS INTO THE JAILS PRACTICES INCREASING OUR VACCINATION RATE IS THE BEST WAY FOR US TO BE ABLEO T PROTECTION FOR THE INMATES SACRAMENTO COUNTY JAIL OFFIALCISRE A STILL DODGING OUR QUESTIONS SENDING US TO ANOTHER AGENCY WHO BOUNCEDS U BACK TO THEM. WE DID TAKE OUR QUESTIONS TO COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS. WE ARE IN DISCUSSION TO SEE IF THERE ANY ADDITIONAL MEASUSRE THAT CAN BE TAKEN. I KNOW THAT THE SHERIFF AND CORRECTIONAL HEALTH HAVE ALSO IDENTIEDFI ADDITIONAL AREAS WHERE PEOPLE THAT EITHER HAVE SYMPTOMS OR TEST POTISIVE COULD BE ISOLATED. INMATES SAY THOSE WHO HAVE TEEDST POSITIVE OR WERE EXPOSED ARE BEING MOVED IN WITH HEALTHY INMA
Sacramento County inmates go on hunger strike to protest lack of COVID-19 safety
Updated: 7:44 PM PDT Nov 4, 2021
Inmates inside Sacramento County jails are on a hunger strike, protesting a lack of safety from COVID-19, sources tell KCRA 3. Dominic Smith, an inmate, said they are hearing of outbreaks happening frequently. The hunger strike comes days after a noticeable increase in COVID-19 cases inside two of the county’s facilities. “I’m surprised that the numbers they are telling people on the news are so low compared to the thousands of people that are here, because I look around and see everybody who’s got it,” Smith said.Smith has been waiting for trial for 14 months. He’s currently at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center on a robbery charge for a stolen cellphone. He, like many inmates, has concerns about the virus.Last week, the county said 75 inmates tested positive. That number jumped up to 94 active cases by Tuesday. Sometime during that jump, a 76-year-old inmate had died from COVID-19, according to the Sacramento County Public Health Department.Despite wanting to speak out about it, Smith said inmates have stayed quiet out of fear of being placed on lockdown.Sources inside the RCCC tell us dozens of inmates are now on a hunger strike. They want an outside agency to come look into things. KCRA 3 reached out to the sheriff’s office, which referred us to Correctional Health and referred us back to the sheriff’s office.”We’re in danger,” Smith said. “Somebody needs to care about us and they need to come in and investigate.”Samantha Mott, a spokesperson with the Sacramento County Department of Public Health Services, sent KCRA 3 a statement that reads: “Sacramento County Health Services works closely with the Sheriff’s Department to ensure all State and Federal COVID guidelines and health protocols are followed in jail facilities to ensure the health and safety of inmates. There are four types of COVID-19 housing units in each jail including Intake Quarantine (new arrivals), Close Contact Quarantine (exposed to someone with possible symptoms but has no symptoms), Suspect Isolation (symptoms but pending testing) and Confirmed Cases.”Robust testing procedures are in place, including testing of all transfer and new intakes prior to the conclusion of their Intake Quarantine period. Any inmate exhibiting symptoms consistent with the CDC COVID-19 symptom list is tested and if confirmed, placed in COVID Case Isolation. Inmates who may have been exposed are placed under quarantine. Correctional Health staff complete health checks for patients in the COVID-19 housing units. This includes symptom screening, temperature and oxygen saturation level check, and patient education on current COVID-19 symptoms. All inmates are all offered COVID vaccinations, provided education about the benefits of vaccination, and are welcome to participate in the inmate vaccination incentive program. As of October 27, 2,429 inmates received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.”
Inmates inside Sacramento County jails are on a hunger strike, protesting a lack of safety from COVID-19, sources tell KCRA 3.
Dominic Smith, an inmate, said they are hearing of outbreaks happening frequently. The hunger strike comes days after a noticeable increase in COVID-19 cases inside two of the county’s facilities.
“I’m surprised that the numbers they are telling people on the news are so low compared to the thousands of people that are here, because I look around and see everybody who’s got it,” Smith said.
Smith has been waiting for trial for 14 months. He’s currently at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center on a robbery charge for a stolen cellphone. He, like many inmates, has concerns about the virus.
Last week, the county said 75 inmates tested positive. That number jumped up to 94 active cases by Tuesday. Sometime during that jump, a 76-year-old inmate had died from COVID-19, according to the Sacramento County Public Health Department.
Despite wanting to speak out about it, Smith said inmates have stayed quiet out of fear of being placed on lockdown.
Sources inside the RCCC tell us dozens of inmates are now on a hunger strike. They want an outside agency to come look into things. KCRA 3 reached out to the sheriff’s office, which referred us to Correctional Health and referred us back to the sheriff’s office.
“We’re in danger,” Smith said. “Somebody needs to care about us and they need to come in and investigate.”
Samantha Mott, a spokesperson with the Sacramento County Department of Public Health Services, sent KCRA 3 a statement that reads:
“Sacramento County Health Services works closely with the Sheriff’s Department to ensure all State and Federal COVID guidelines and health protocols are followed in jail facilities to ensure the health and safety of inmates. There are four types of COVID-19 housing units in each jail including Intake Quarantine (new arrivals), Close Contact Quarantine (exposed to someone with possible symptoms but has no symptoms), Suspect Isolation (symptoms but pending testing) and Confirmed Cases.”
Robust testing procedures are in place, including testing of all transfer and new intakes prior to the conclusion of their Intake Quarantine period. Any inmate exhibiting symptoms consistent with the CDC COVID-19 symptom list is tested and if confirmed, placed in COVID Case Isolation. Inmates who may have been exposed are placed under quarantine.
Correctional Health staff complete health checks for patients in the COVID-19 housing units. This includes symptom screening, temperature and oxygen saturation level check, and patient education on current COVID-19 symptoms.
All inmates are all offered COVID vaccinations, provided education about the benefits of vaccination, and are welcome to participate in the inmate vaccination incentive program. As of October 27, 2,429 inmates received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.”