A class-action lawsuit is planned in response to this “major catastrophe” as more prisoners arrive at OCCC.
Five inmates were released Tuesday and more on Wednesday to comply with state Supreme Court orders.
Corrections officials are not yet releasing the name of the 70-year-old who died at Halawa Correctional Facility.
The state Supreme Court ordered the release of certain inmates because physical distancing is not possible, which potentially places inmates and staff at risk of death.
The state public defender argues inmates are deprived of basic protection from COVID-19, and CDC guidelines aren’t followed.
State Department of Public Safety protocol calls for isolating new arrivals for 14 days to prevent coronoavirus spread.
Staff and inmates alike have been infected as COVID-19 spreads inside Hawaii’s largest jail.
Mass testing at Annex 1 reveals the disease is widespread inside, staff says.
Data shows nine inmates and seven staff at the state’s largest jail have tested positive so far in the coronavirus outbreak.