Stefen Short, Supervising Attorney in The Legal Aid Society’s Prisoners Rights Project, appeared on Fox5 & Hot 97’s Lisa Evers’ Street Soldiers to take part in an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 humanitarian crisis unfolding within New York State’s prison system.

Short detailed PRP’s efforts in the courts to fight for the release of New Yorkers whose medical conditions or advanced age made the especially vulnerable to COVID-19, as well as the year-long fight to ensure New York’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision seriously implement crucial social distancing and hygiene measures for the sake of both incarcerated people and staff.

“Correctional officers control whether they have access to the supplies that they need. They control whether they have access to masks. They control whether or not they’re in congregate areas and can socially distance,” said Short. “So unless correctional officials and correctional staff take seriously the needs of our clients, there’s no real way for our clients to protect themselves.”

Watch the full episode below.