Contained physical space, limited medical resources, and substantial populations who are aging or immunocompromised make prisoners, detainees and guards vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks. The National Association of Evangelicals has been involved in advocating on their behalf.

A letter to congressional leadership on conditions for prisoners included proposals to: expand eligibility for compassionate release in the federal prison system; use digital programming; increase reentry funding; and discontinue penalizing second-chance entrepreneurs.

The NAE also joined with the Evangelical Immigration Table and another group of immigrant advocates in writing the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement out of concern for the wellbeing of staff and detainees in immigrant detention facilities.