Letter: Protecting the jail population
Published: 12/22/2020 12:02:33 AM
Dear Strafford County Commissioners: The press reports that 16 detainees and three jail employees have tested positive for COVID-19, and that, in an effort to prevent further contagion, all detainees are confined to their cells 23 hours a day.
Superintendent Chris Brackett has said, “My main concern is keeping those in our custody safe, to keep my staff safe, and get through this with as minimal impact as possible.” His purposes are excellent.
However, keeping those who are in custody “safe” includes protecting their mental health as well as their physical health. While confinement to a cell protects physical health by controlling the spread of the virus, it is well known to be destructive to mental health.