REFORM Alliance, Sheriffs, Correctional Leaders Announce Distribution of Over 6 Million Masks to Jails and other Facilities Nationwide

REFORM Alliance, Sheriffs, Correctional Leaders Announce Distribution of Over 6 Million Masks to Jails and other Facilities Nationwide

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, REFORM Alliance is announcing that it has distributed more than 6 million protective masks to jails and prisons across 47 states. This figure shows that the group is well on its way to reaching its goal of sending PPE to every jail and prison in America.

This distribution has been fueled by a partnership with the National Sheriffs Association (NSA), which has helped REFORM get the masks into jails in over 1,460 counties across 43 of its member states. The organizations launched a formal partnership in May. In addition, the effort would not be possible without the generous support of Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, whose #startsmall initiative contributed $10 million to REFORM’s PPE campaign.

“The National Sheriffs Association and Correctional Leaders Association have been tremendours partners in helping us provide necessary PPE to prisons and jails across the country,” said Jessica Jackson, Chief Advocacy Officer at REFORM Alliance. “We’re also grateful for the generosity of Jack Dorsey and his Start Small Initiative. These masks not only protect incarcerated populations, but also the prison guards, staff, and surrounding communities. We continue to fight for compassionate releases from state and federal jails and prisons – a prison sentence should not be a death sentence.”

”Our great partnership with REFORM has provided nearly 1,500 counties across the nation with PPE we desperately need to protect our jail employees and incarcerated individuals. Once COVID-19 infects our facilities, it takes off like a wildfire. This innovative collaboration helps make our jails safer during the international pandemic,” NSA President and Dane (WI) Wisconsin Sheriff Dave Mahoney said.  

REFORM has also received significant assistance from many state Departments of Corrections (DOCs). In a situation where speed is of the essence, these DOCs have enabled REFORM to deliver PPE quickly and efficiently to prison facilities across the country.

“We greatly appreciate the effort from REFORM Alliance to get much-needed PPE into correctional facilities across America," said Kevin Kempf, Executive Director of the Correctional Leaders Association. "These masks are helping protect not only incarcerated individuals, but correctional officers and critical front line staff who commute to and from our facilities every day. We look forward to continuing to partner with REFORM to keep as many people safe from the virus as possible.”

Beyond its PPE initiative, REFORM will continue working with state and federal officials to implement recommendations featured within the SAFER Plan. The plan, which was created by a bipartisan coalition of organizations led by REFORM, gives policymakers a framework to reduce the spread of the virus behind bars. To date, 47 states and the federal government have adopted at least one recommendation from the plan. 

COVID-19 remains a significant threat to our vulnerable incarcerated populations, as well as to law enforcement, correctional staff, and the communities in which they live. In partnership with the NSA and correctional departments across the country, REFORM Alliance is committed to stopping the spread in prisons and jails and saving lives. 

About REFORM Alliance

The REFORM Alliance is committed to advancing criminal justice reform and eradicating laws and policies that perpetuate injustice in the United States. To achieve that objective, REFORM will pass probation bills at the state level, use media to amplify the need for comprehensive reform and build an inclusive, bipartisan alliance of leaders who share a vision for ambitiously and efficiently transforming the criminal justice system.  

REFORM’s founding partners include award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Philadelphia 76ers partner and Fanatics Executive Chairman Michael Rubin; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter; Kraft Group CEP and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Brooklyn Nets co-owner and philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai; Third Point LLC CEO and founder Daniel S. Loeb; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, and CEO Robert F. Smith; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold. CNN host, author and activist Van Jones serves as the organization’s CEO. 

About the National Sheriffs’ Association

The National Sheriffs’ Association is one of the largest associations of law enforcement professionals in the U.S., representing more than 3,000 elected Sheriffs across the nation, and with a total membership of more than 14,000. NSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among Sheriffs, their deputies, and others in the field of law enforcement, public safety, and criminal justice. Throughout its eighty-year history, NSA has also served as an information resource for all law enforcement, as well as State governments and the Federal government.