We urge County Executive Curran and Sheriff Dzureda to step forward and publicly share a comprehensive plan for the jail. We also urge them to consider decreasing the population relating to non-violent and vulnerable people who can safely be released with a plan.
After repeated e-mails, phone calls and press statements directed at Nassau County Executive Curran and Sheriff Dzureda, there has still been no public statements outlining plan to save lives inside the Nassau County Jail.
What are the hygiene and sanitation protocols? Are people wearing masks and gloves? Are there routine temperature checks in place? Is there access to hand-sanitizer? What is the policy on physical distancing? Is there any mental health support? What are the criteria for testing and contact tracing? Is there routine communication and information for those inside, including interpretation and language accessible materials to ease anxiety? Are people being quarantined in cohorts or individually?
The health of those inside the jail cannot be separated from the overall health situation in Nassau County concerning COVID-19. Yet, daily COVID-19 updates include only a headcount of those testing positive. This shows no understanding of the connection of the jail to the rest of the county and its crisis, and, consequently, no concern for the human lives inside the facility. The current silence serves only to increase anxiety for family and their loved ones and creates a situation tantamount to a possible death sentence.
We urge County Executive Curran and Sheriff Dzureda to step forward and publicly share a comprehensive plan for the jail. We also urge them to consider decreasing the population relating to non-violent and vulnerable people who can safely be released with a plan.
Family members and their loved ones are increasingly anxious as numbers continue to rise of both corrections officers and incarcerated persons testing positive for the Corona Virus. Nassau County must include the jail population among those whose lives are valued, and to date, that is not clear to those doing time on the inside, or the outside.
“Hi, My name is ___________________, and I’m a resident of Nassau County (or resident of New York State). I’m calling to express my concern about COVID-19 and safety conditions in the Nassau County Jail. To date, the County has not made any public statements, or shared written plans about how they intend to save lives inside the jail. I would like to know if people are wearing gloves and masks, if there are routine temperature checks, what is the criteria to get tested, what is being done to decrease exposure, and are there plans to decrease the population in order to keep vulnerable people safe?”
Nassau County Executive Curran: 516-571-3131
I am requesting that County Executive, Laura Curran share her plans in a public statement and in writing with Nassau County residents. And I would also request the safe release of non-violent, vulnerable people. The health of those in the Nassau County jail is directly connected to the larger COVID-19 issue, and they, and their families need to know if their lives matter. Thank you for your time.
Sheriff Dzureda: 516-572-4105
I’d like to express appreciation for any efforts thus far undertaken inside the jail. However, it is important that the public be aware of a comprehensive plan. So I’m requesting that the Sheriff and County Executive share their plan publicly and in writing with County residents. And I would also request the safe release of non-violent, vulnerable people. The health of those in the Nassau County jail is directly connected to the larger COVID-19 issue, and they, and their families need to know if their lives matter. Thank you for your time.
Senator Kevin Thomas: 516-739-1700
“As the State Senator whose district includes the Nassau County Jail, I think its your responsibility to work with the county, and issue a public statement about what is being done to save lives at the jail and to consider the release of non-violent and vulnerable people safely. The health of those in the Nassau County jail is directly connected to the larger COVID-19 issue, and they, and their families need to know if their lives matter. Thank you for your time.”
Assemblymember Thomas McKevitt: 516-571-6213
“As the State Assembly member whose district includes the Nassau County Jail, I think it’s your responsibility to work with the county, and issue a public statement about what is being done to save lives at the jail and to consider the release of non-violent and vulnerable people safely The health of those in the Nassau County jail is directly connected to the larger COVID-19 issue, and they, and their families need to know if their lives matter. Thank you for your time.”
“As a member of the Public Safety Committee of the Nassau County legislature, I think it is Legislator XXXXX”s job to share publicly and in writing the county’s plan to save lives inside the jail, and to safely release non-violent and vulnerable people. The health of those in the Nassau County jail is directly connected to the larger Covid-19 issue, and they, and their families need to know if their lives matter. Thank you for your time.
Nassau Legislature Public Safety Committee Contacts:
Chair- Denise Ford 516-571-6204
Vice Chair, Steve Rhoades 516-571-6219
Vincent Muscarella 516-571-6208
John Ferretti 516-571-6215
Delia DeRiggi-Whitton 516-571-6211
Siela Bynoe 516-571-6202
Debra Mule 516-571-6205