COVID-19 Sweeps Through Cook County Jail

It’s nearly impossible to practice social distancing at the Cook County Jail. Inmates and guards are getting sick at an alarming rate.

Nurse strike at Cook County Jail Coronavirus
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Nurse strike at Cook County Jail Coronavirus
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

COVID-19 Sweeps Through Cook County Jail

It’s nearly impossible to practice social distancing at the Cook County Jail. Inmates and guards are getting sick at an alarming rate.

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More than 800 inmates, guards and medical staff have contracted COVID-19 at Cook County Jail. Experts say it’s nearly impossible to practice social distancing behind bars.

Reset checks in with a reporter who interviewed 12 people about their experiences at the jail, including correctional officers and current and former detainees.

GUEST: Shannon Heffernan, WBEZ criminal justice reporter