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Newsroom

Expert Available to Comment on Challenges Inmates May Face During Mandatory Quarantine and Re-entry; COVID-19

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Matthew DeMichele, PhD, Director of the Center for Courts and Corrections Research, at RTI International – a nonprofit research institute – is available to comment on potential challenges inmates may face while under the recently mandated in-cell quarantine and the risks of re-entry if released from incarceration early. In-cell quarantine and the release of inmates are both tactics that have been put in place across prison and jail systems in the U.S. in hopes of reducing the spread of COVID-19.

On April 1, the U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons mandated a 14-day quarantine for inmates in every institution across the U.S. Although inmates will have access to regularly offered programs and services, there are challenges these individuals may face. Inmates are also being released across the U.S. to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, which can also bring multifaceted challenges and risks as they re-enter society.

Dr. DeMichele has nearly two decades of experience in conducting research for local, state and federal governments in the areas of criminology, corrections, risk assessment, program evaluation and terrorism. He has led projects related to inmate re-entry, employment services, and a multi-site evaluation of a large criminal justice systems reform.

To request an interview, contact the RTI Newsroom at news@rti.org.