Judge names expert to scrutinize NC prison virus response

BY GARY D. ROBERTSON | DECEMBER 04, 2020 4:32 PM

A judge agreed on Friday to name a third-party expert to scrutinize the COVID-19 response within North Carolina's prison system, which along with the rest of the state is experiencing a surge in cases and hospitalizations.

Ruling again in ongoing litigation about health and safety within prisons during the pandemic, Superior Court Judge Vince Rozier said he's worried about the pressure the coronavirus is now placing upon correctional institutions.

A key task of the special master he picked — Thomas Maher of Duke University — will be to review a home-confinement program, which could mean more inmates at higher risk for COVID-19 complications will serve their terms in safer settings.

Rozier's upcoming written order also will direct the Department of Public Safety to have all correctional workers who come in contact with prisoners be tested every two weeks.

Read more at: https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-coronavirus-pandemic-prisons-9dccee2979ee99934ea76f19d7e183ed