Texas prisons, jails worst COVID-19 hotspots of any in US

Texas

By TERRY WALLACE, the Associated Press

A new study shows more Texas jail and prison inmates and staff have been infected and killed by COVID-19 than those of any other state’s criminal justice system. The report released Monday by the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas said at least 231 inmates and staff died in Texas prisons and jails of COVID-19. The study also found that inmates and staff tested positive for the coronavirus virus that causes COVID-19 at a 490% higher rate than the state’s general population. Also, nine inmates approved for parole died in prison before their release.