May 11, 2020: A unit at Redgranite Correctional refused to comply with staff directives after the prison was placed on “modified movement” status, a form of lockdown. The modified status was instituted after a guard tested positive for Covid-19.
2020
02
May
Protest and Hunger Strike at Dillwyn Correctional Center, Virginia
May 2: In early May, a hunger strike and protest erupted due to COVID-19 at Dillwyn Correction Center in Virginia. Shortly after the disturbances, several prisoners were transferred to another prison for “security reasons,” but the Department of Corrections in Virginia has declined to provide further information.
19
Apr
Attack on Guard at Sumter Correctional Institution, Florida
April 19, 2020: Multiple prisoners confined at Sumter Correctional Institution in Bushnell, Florida, attacked a guard. On the day of the attack, the cases of COVID-19 at Sumter Correctional had risen from seven to 24.
17
Apr
Disturbance at Pendleton Correctional Facility, Indiana
April 17, 2020: According to the Indiana Department of Corrections, a “disturbance” took place at 10:40 a.m. on April 17 at the Pendleton Correctional Facility involving four prisoners.
09
Apr
Protest at Cedar Creek Correctional, Washington in Response to COVID-19
April 9, 2020: Responding to the spread of COVID-19 in the facility, approximately 30 prisoners staged an evening protest demanding better protections against the virus. Family members and journalists were called and prison officials allowed them to speak with the prisoners in the midst of the protest.
08
Apr
Uprising at Monroe Correctional Complex, Washington Amidst Covid-19 Outbreak
April 8, 2020: Between 100-200 prisoners at the Monroe Corrections Complex staged a protest and uprising in response to an outbreak of Covid-19 at the prison and the inadequate response of the administration and staff.
07
Apr
Uprising Over COVID-19 at Columbia River Correctional Facility, Portland, Oregon
April 8, 2020: After a two day soap and paper towel shortage, mixed with the lack of accurate information and resources given to them by prison officials related to COVID-19, prisoners in two of the facility’s 80-person units clashed with guards, taking over the units for 3 hours. The guards were forced to retreat into locked offices and put the entire facility on lockdown.
02
Apr
Protest at Neuse Correctional, North Carolina in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
April 2, 2020: A group of prisoners at the Neuse Correctional Institution staged a protest Thursday afternoon after receiving news that two prisoners at the facility had tested positive for COVID-19.
24
Mar
9 Women Escape from Work Release Facility in South Dakota to Avoid COVID-19 Exposure
March 24, 2020: Nine prisoners housed at the Pierre Community Work Center in South Dakota walked out of the facility without permission after another prisoner there tested positive for COVID-19.
20
Mar
Uprising in Grants, New Mexico Amidst Fears of COVID-19 Outbreak
March 20, 2020: Approximately 300 prisoners at the Northwestern New Mexico Correctional Center participated in an uprising following the death of a prisoner, The Gallup Independent reports. The prisoners damaged prison infrastructure and fought back against guards.
