covid-19 in California prisons

As you know the covid epidemic has effected every aspect of our lives. From shelter in place to social distancing, and the ever present masks. Our lives are filled with hand sanitizers and plastic gloves to help protect us from the virous. All these things we have have and can readily get and have access to with just a little searching on the web or at one of the many stores we are allowed to go, yet these things can't be bought by prisoners.
The worst prisons I can think of to face this exposure risk is Folsom State Prison and San Quintin State prison where the cell blocks are 5 tiers high and face a common outer wall. No isolated ventilation at all to at least slow down the coughs of other inmates, there coughs are spilled into this common area to be breathed by all the other prisoners and currently there are 231 cases of covid in Folsom as reported today by KCRA 3 in Sacramento surpassing that of San Quintin. add to this being locked in the cell 24/7 with only a minimum of  3 hours per week of exercise time and that is "if" the prison allows it. This can be terminated due to the security of the institution for any reason they deem necessary. The ones who are lucky enough to be paroled don't face it much easier, they must pass a screening before being released and then they are quarantined in a motel room for two weeks and they often go without the food and other items that are supposed to be provided. 
Being in prison is not meant to be fun, the isolation from family can be agonizing and during the covid prisoners are not allowed to visit or make call to there family's so it adds that  extra bit of, what is felt like punishment, that was not meant to be. Its not any easier on the family's who don't fully understand why there loved one is not calling or even writing like he or she use to. getting to the store for stamps if you got money is not allowed and the state only provides 5 stamped envelopes per week if you are indigent.  As we all deal with this virous and feel the sting of this new life style we are living under let's not forget the old adage of "it could be worse" because for those in prison as well as those getting out its a nightmare I thank God daily I don't have to live through and I haven't even touched on the problems they have to face finding housing and jobs. So as we hit our knees tonight giving thanks for all we have please try to say a little prayer for our Brothers and Sisters on the inside
* from now on these blogs will be published under my pseudonym X-offender *
Till next time may you all be blessed                                             X-OFFRNDER