Prisoners in Massachusetts are getting their Covid-19 vaccines — and reduced sentences – CNN

If they receive both doses, watch and read educational materials and submit a form for approval, they could shorten their sentence, the Department of Corrections said in a memo.The incentive is made possible by a Massachusetts law, which states that prisoners are "eligible to earn deductions from sentences and completion credits, collectively known as good conduct deductions, for participation in and completion of programs and activities" outlined in the law.That's what Department of Correction Commissioner Carol A. Mici described as "earned good time" (EGT) in a January 28 memo addressed to inmates/patients.Prisoners who complete the required steps are eligible for a total of seven and a half days of EGT, according to the memo.

"I have determined that receiving the vaccine is significantly valuable to rehabilitation and will therefore be offering Earned Good Time," Mici wrote.

Prisons remain hot spots for Covid-19

As of January 28, when the memo was sent out, over 3,500 DOC inmates had received the vaccine, Mici wrote.

Prisons have been hot spots for virus infection from the early days of the pandemic.

Virginia also offers incentives to prisoners

Massachusetts is not the only state to offer incentives to prisoners eligible for vaccination.

Incentives besides EGT in Massachusetts have not been announced.

Read the original post:

Prisoners in Massachusetts are getting their Covid-19 vaccines -- and reduced sentences - CNN