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HONOLULU A judge ruled she won t appoint a special master just yet to make sure Hawaiʻi officials are keeping inmates safe from COVID-19, but said she is troubled by allegations in a lawsuit describing “egregious conditions” at prisons and jails that led to virus outbreaks at five of the state s eight prisons and jails.
In a ruling issued late Tuesday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Jill Otake granted class-action status to the lawsuit by inmates alleging state officials mishandled the pandemic and failed to implement its Pandemic Response Plan.
Lawyers for the inmates asked the judge to appoint an expert who could ensure the plan is being followed.