Inside STAT: As Covid-19 cases in prisons climb, data on race remains largely obscured

CALIFORNIA'S INSTITUTION FOR MEN, A STATE PRISON IN CHINO, IS AMONG A NUMBER OF CALIFORNIA CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES THAT HAVE SEEN COVID-19 CLUSTERS. (JESSICA PONS FOR STAT)

Covid-19 deaths among prison inmates and correction officers keep rising, passing 1,000 deaths and 160,o0o infections this week. While the pandemic's disproportionate impact on Black and brown people in the general population has been well-documented, the racial breakdown of Covid-19 cases in correctional facilities remains largely obscured. Only four states are proactively reporting any demographic data in incarcerated populations. Public health experts warn that the huge gap in data could impede the response to outbreaks among those behind bars. STAT contributor Eileen Guo has more here.