Inmates in Los Angeles County jails are intentionally trying to spread the coronavirus to themselves in an attempt to be released, according to a new report.
A video and evidence gathered inside the facilities show inmates drinking from a container contaminated by an inmate infected with the coronavirus, Sheriff Alex Villanueva told the Los Angeles Times.
“It is dismaying to realize anyone would intentionally infect themselves,” Villanueva said.
Jail officials learned of the scheme after an informant discovered a trove of items inmates were using to try and infect one another and spread the disease. Sources told the Los Angeles Times the trustee inmate was beaten by fellow prisoners after the inmate attempted to intervene and stop the ploy.
Los Angeles County officials have reported 357 confirmed cases of the virus inside its jail facilities and are moving to test all inmates regardless of symptoms in response to the pandemic.
The jails, which usually have 17,000 people under detention, as of Friday, had just 11,723 inmates as local police look to reduce jail and prison populations.
