ST. PAUL, Minn. — The American Civil Liberties Union sued the state prison system, alleging inadequate protections for prisoners from coronavirus. The ACLU said the virus has spread “like wildfire” with 205 confirmed cases. There have been two deaths at the Faribault prison. In an earlier suit, the ACLU faulted conditions at the Moose Lake prison. Among specific allegations:
> An almost complete absence of social distancing.
> Staff not wearing masks and mocking those who did.
> Denying testing to someone with Lyme disease who had a 103.7 fever and other symptoms.
> Hand sanitation stations being located outside of people’s reach.
Cell abuse
The ACLU quoted inmate Charles Jackson that his cell had feces on the floor and obviously had not been disinfected. “I tried to clean the entire cell with towels the DOC provided me to shower with. I was not allowed to have cleaning supplies.”