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Prison inmates have been caught on camera trying to become infected with the coronavirus in hopes of ensuring its early release.
Two groups of inmates detained in a unit at the Los Angeles County Jail in Castaic, California, were filmed sharing water bottles and a face mask.
The behavior, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff, resulted in nearly half of the inmates in the unit later testing positive for the virus.
“Somehow, there was an erroneous belief among the prison population that if they tested positive, there would be some way to force our hands and free the prisoners,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva.
“That’s not gonna happen.”
In April, officials were alarmed by a sudden increase in suspected cases at the North County Correctional Center. There was no coronavirus cases until then.
When they studied surveillance footage from a day room, they saw inmates pass by and sniff out a face mask and drink from a shared Styrofoam cup.
Investigators then found images of a second incident inmates took sips from the same hot-water bottle, moments before a nurse checked their temperatures.
Within weeks, 30 inmates, from a population of about 50 in the unit, had tested positive or fell ill.
Villaneuva said: “It is sad to think that someone would deliberately try to expose themselves to COVID-19“
He said that no one admitted trying to spread the virus, but that “their behavior condemned them.” He said inmates generally “jealously guard” their own drinking cups for fear of contracting an illness.
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The Los Angeles County prison system is the largest in the world and more than 5,000 prisoners have been released during the coronavirus crisis. To qualify, inmates must be within 60 days of their scheduled release.
An investigation into the attempt to spread the virus is now underway and inmates could face criminal charges.
The sheriff said it was “deeply disturbing” that they put themselves, other inmates, and staff at risk.
“There is a reason why they are behind bars in the first place, because they violate the norms of society.”
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