Laura Eraso, Staff Attorney with Legal Aid’s Parole Revocation Defense Unit, was featured on The New York Times’ The Daily Podcast with her client Mitchell Pomerance who suffers from a litany of health problems and is currently detained at Rikers Island.

Mr. Pomerance also recently tested positive for COVID-19. The Legal Aid Society has been fighting in court to secure his freedom for weeks but the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has refused to consent to release despite Mr. Pomerance’s debilitating health conditions that place him in the highest COVID-19 risk group.

As of April 22, 2019, 369 incarcerated New Yorkers tested positive for COVID-19. Furthermore, the New York City Department of Correction estimates that 1736 incarcerated New Yorkers – more than half the City jail population – have already likely been exposed to the virus.

Listen to the full episode here.