UCLA Law

COVID Behind Bars Data Project

We collect and analyze public information about the coronavirus pandemic in prisons, jails, youth facilities, and immigration detention centers across the United States. Our centralized source of data enables greater oversight of and accountability for carceral institutions’ responses to the pandemic behind bars. We also record legal and community responses to the crisis, including mass releases, legal filings, court orders, and organizing efforts.

Since the start of the pandemic, prisons and ICE detention centers across the U.S. have reported at least:

663,196

total cumulative cases among incarcerated people

3,181

total cumulative deaths among incarcerated people

247,194

total cumulative cases among staff

311

total cumulative deaths among staff

Showing in carceral facilities

Each spike represents the number of incarcerated people who have tested positive for COVID-19

1

5.0k

10k

This map displays COVID-19 cases and related deaths of people incarcerated in prisons and jails across the US. Click on a state to access more data.

This map displays reported COVID-19 cases and related deaths of people incarcerated in carceral facilities across the US. Click on a state to access more data.

Rates and active cases are not available for all facilities. Learn why.

Facilities with the highest

Cumulative CasesActive CasesCumulative DeathsTests
FacilityCountPer 10kCountPer 10kCountPer 10kCountPer 10k

Los Angeles Jails

California

9,9755,842----2012----

Wasco State Prison

California

5,29911,550235024----

Philadelphia Dept Of Jails

Pennsylvania

5,09610,6611327--------

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility

California

4,8369,14048815----

Avenal State Prison

California

4,34210,328----819----

COVID-19 Vaccines in State and Federal Prisons

This table reflects data publicly reported by state and federal correctional agencies about the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to incarcerated people and staff in their facilities. The data reported here generally refer to people who have received at least one dose of a vaccine. There are some exceptions, noted with a flag, when agencies report only the number of people who have completed their vaccination schedules, and not the number of people partially vaccinated. Staff are generally not required to report their vaccination status to their employers, so the total numbers of staff who are vaccinated may be higher.

View our data on Github
JurisdictionVaccination Rate for Incarcerated PeopleVaccination Rate for Staff Members
120%--
99%62%
98%49%
93%72%
84%48%

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November 16th, 2023

June 7th, 2023

Study: Incarcerated People Faced Medical Abuse, Poor Safety Protocols, Unsanitary Conditions, and Severe Isolation as COVID-19 Ravaged California State Prisons

Four prisons—Chuckwalla, Mule Creek, Chuckwalla, Chino, and Solano—stood out as particularly bad actors.

April 7th, 2023

COVID Scorecard Update 8: Despite waning public urgency for the COVID pandemic, accountability and transparency in prison COVID rates remain crucial

During the first quarter of 2023, many states ceased reporting COVID statistics, with some completely removing COVID data from their websites.

Our generous supporters include:

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