The New Jersey Department of Corrections is reportedly offering inmates a 10-day reduction of their sentence if they get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Inmates are being offered other incentives besides the sentence reduction including an “I Got Vaccinated” photo of themselves that can be shared with friends and family, a specialized food package, and a $10 commissary credit.
In New Jersey prisons, over 4,000 inmates have had COVID and 52 have died. The state has one of the highest corrections system death rates.
DOC spokeswoman Liz Velez has said, “With the revolving door of individuals who come in and out of our system and seeing the value vaccinations play in minimizing the spread of COVID-19, we are constantly seeking innovative ways to educate and encourage individuals to get vaccinated”.
New Jersey is not thew only state offering incentives to prisoners to get the vaccine. New York has also started offering similar benefits for vaccinated inmates. Among the NY incentives are care packages, barbeque parties and conjugal visits.
11,425 doses have been administered to date in NJ prisons, but the DOC doesn’t provide the exact rate among inmates.
Inmates must also attend a three-hour class on infectious disease control and COVID-19 to get the 10-day sentence reduction.