On June 3 the Dane County Criminal Justice Council announced a new research partnership with John Eason, Associate Professor of Sociology, to determine the impact of jail population reduction on the incidence of COVID-19 in the jail, as well as a projection of COVID-19 infection if the reduction had not occurred. Eason’s research focus has been on bringing racial equity to health and criminal justice outcomes.
In February and March of this year, the Dane County Jail reduced the inmate population by 40% to diminish the incidence of COVID-19. The Criminal Justice Council worked closely with a team of local officials to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 for both inmates and front-line workers. The pandemic forced an unprecedented level of close coordination among these officials.
Eason’s initial report will be completed this summer, with follow up reports occurring over the remainder of the year.