Immorality and the vaccination of inmates

Gov. Pritzker's plan to prioritize the vaccination of incarcerated individuals along with prison staff was recently called "immoral" by state Sen. Dan McConchie.

The prison population is a congregate population, living in close quarters with limited ability to follow social distancing guidelines. When I was a criminal justice student at Loyola University Chicago, I visited Stateville Correctional Center and walked through the prison, including the cramped cell blocks where inmates live. Knowing what these conditions look like and having heard many stories from formerly incarcerated individuals, it is infuriating to hear an elected official proclaim the priority vaccination of the vulnerable prison population "immoral."

I encourage Sen. McConchie, and all state senators and representatives, to visit a state correctional facility and observe this congregate setting firsthand.

The lives of those behind bars are no less valuable than any other Illinoisan. They are worthy of a lifesaving vaccine - one that also benefits our state community as a whole.

It is the state government's responsibility to ensure the health and safety of every person in Illinois. This responsibility includes protecting the prison population and prison staff. If state elected officials like Sen. McConchie, won't work to keep those in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections safe, who will?

Michelle Pomerleau

Lake Zurich