Bishop Richard E. Pates, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Joliet, today called on state corrections officials to ease the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois prisons by releasing some prisoners early, distributing masks and cleaning supplies among inmates and staff, and issuing accurate infection data. He also urged the shuttering of a reopened unit of Stateville Correctional Center.
Executive Director Bob Gilligan discusses the importance of the first 72 hours after an inmate's release with Dr. MaryClare Birmingham of Kolbe House; the Catholic Day of Action for Immigrant Children with Sr. JoAnn Persch; and a new report on American opinions on abortion and contraception with Natalie Jackson of the Public Religion Research Institute.