Delaware News Journal: Advocates decry Delaware inmate’s COVID-19 death and facilities’ mask policy

When Jim Hunter became the fourth Delaware prisoner to die of COVID-19 last week, advocates said it was a preventable tragedy. Two more deaths have since followed.

Following the 81-year-old’s death at Bayhealth Hospital in Dover on Monday, after being held at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware, or CPBD, slammed the state’s Department of Correction for failing to guarantee the health of the incarcerated population.

“The death of Mr. Hunter is on the hands of the DOC,” said Chris Coffey, campaign manager for CPBD. “From the beginning of this crisis, they have been slow to take action in protecting these inmates, violating their rights and putting them at high risk of exposure.”