Texas Prisons And Jails Are The Nation's Worst For COVID-19 Hotspots

Texas jails and prisons are officially the nation's worst for being COVID-19 hotspots, according to a university report.

The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas reported that over 230 inmates and staff members have died of the virus in Texas jails and prisons.

The school's study showed shocking reports about positivity rates in prisons and jails as well. According to the study, Texas correctional facilities had a positivity rate that was a whopping 490% higher than Texas' general population.

Michele Deitch, the lead author of the study and criminal justice policy expert at LBJ School stated, "COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on prisons and jails across the country, and especially in Texas."

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says that the study isn't showing the whole picture, and that they are taking measures to keep it under control.

Jeremy Desel, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman stated, "While this report attempts to capture the impact of the virus on the prison population, what is noticeably absent is a discussion of the TDCJ’s first in the nation, sustained, and aggressive mass asymptomatic testing campaign. To date, more than 65,000 employee and 219,000 inmate tests have been carried out. This is far more than any other correctional system in the country."

Photo: Getty Images

Source: KSAT