COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous civil liberties concerns, from the safety of people in detention facilities to voting rights to the expanse and limits of government power. The ACLU of Pennsylvania has prioritized its work in this moment based on how and where we can be most impactful.

Read a letter from our executive director, Reggie Shuford, about our actions to defend civil liberties during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Criminal Legal Reform

Without immediate action, our jails and prisons could become the epicenter of the pandemic. Criminal legal reform advocacy groups are urging government officials to release as many people from Pennsylvania’s state prisons and county jails as possible and to implement additional safety measures across the system to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Press Releases

• Advocates Urge Jails and Prisons to Implement Science-Based and Transparent Practices in Response to Coronavirus

• Criminal Legal Reform Advocates Urge Governor Wolf to Take Immediate Action to Release People from State Prisons 

• ACLU-PA to Philly Courts: Using Cash Bail During Pandemic is a Significant Risk to Public Health

• ACLU of Pennsylvania Urges PA Department of Health to Issue Guidance for Courts to Release People from County Jails

• ACLU of Pennsylvania Asks State Supreme Court to Reduce County Jail Populations to Avert Even Bigger Public Health Crisis

• Advocates’ Statement on Governor Wolf’s Failure to Use Reprieve Powers to Deter COVID-19 Pandemic in Pennsylvania’s Prisons

• ACLU-PA Statement on Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rejection of Emergency Request to Reduce County Jail Populations During COVID-19 Crisis

• Prison Reform Advocates File Class Action Lawsuit Against Allegheny County Over Jail Conditions and Increased Risk of COVID-19

• Advocates’ Statement on Governor Wolf’s Plan to Use Reprieve Powers to Deter COVID-19 Pandemic in Pennsylvania’s Prisons

• Ten People Incarcerated in Philadelphia Jails Bring Class Action Lawsuit Over City’s Failure to Address COVID-19 Spread

Letters

• Letter to DOC Secretary Wetzel
• Letter to Governor Wolf - COVID-19
• ACLU of PA Letter to the First Judicial District
• Letter to DOH Secretary Levine
• Letter to Wolf and Levine Requesting Demographic Data
• Letter to Gov. Wolf - Reprieve + Next Steps
• Universal Testing State DOC letter

In the Courts

• King's Bench Petition On County Jails During COVID-19
• Graham et al. v. Allegheny County

• Remick et al. v. City of Philadelphia

Frequently Asked Questions about Health and Safety in Jails and Prisons During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Immigrants' Rights

We must protect immigrants and refugees who are being held in detention. The conditions in detention facilities make it likely that the COVID-19 virus will spread rapidly. People who are being detained, facility employees, and the communities that the employees are a part of are all at risk. 

On March 24, we filed a federal civil rights lawsuit to free 13 people held in immigration detention who are considered most vulnerable to COVID-19. Other ACLU affiliates across the country are filing similar lawsuits.

In the Courts

• Thakker, et al. v. Doll, et al.

• Hope, et al., v. Doll, et al.

Press Releases

• ACLU Urges Federal Court to Release People in Immigration Detention Who Are Vulnerable to Coronavirus

• Federal Court Rules Immigration Officials Must Release 10 People at High Risk of COVID-19

• ACLU-PA Files Federal Lawsuit to Free 22 More Medically Vulnerable People From Immigration Detention Facilities in Pennsylvania

• ACLU-PA Statement on Latest Federal Court Ruling Freeing People in Immigration Detention Amid Public Health Crisis

• ACLU-PA Statement on Federal Court Ruling Freeing Medically Vulnerable People From Immigration Detention

• ACLU Asks Court to Expand Immigration Detention Case to a Class Action Lawsuit to Protect More People from COVID-19

Institutional Living

• ACLU of PA Letter Requesting Live-Saving Action for Long-Term Care Facilities: April 30, 2020

Legislation

• SB 1110 | Release of communicable disease information to first responders
  Session: 2019-2020
  ACLU-PA Position: Opposes

• HB 2463 | Right to Know Law during disaster declarations
  Session: 2019-2020
  ACLU-PA Position: Supports

Student and Youth Rights

• Online Learning Letter to Gov. Wolf
• Fund Our Facilities - Safe School Discussion

Voting Rights

The COVID-19 pandemic is a threat to our 2020 presidential election, but we are doing everything in our power to ensure that our democracy is not disrupted. Pennsylvania recently delayed the primary election scheduled for April 28 until June 2. We are encouraging voters to register for vote-by-mail as a way to maintain social distancing during this global crisis. Learn more at www.votesPA.com.

Press Release

ACLU-PA Statement on Delay of Pennsylvania Primary Election

ACLU-PA Intake

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, our Legal Intake Department is operating at a limited capacity until further notice. Although we are reviewing all of the complaints submitted through the online form, we will not be able to respond to every request for assistance we receive.  To file a legal complaint, click here.