Us jails begin releasing prisoners to stem covid 19 infections

Yes, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many US jails and prisons have begun releasing prisoners to help stem the spread of the virus. This is a critical step to reduce the risk of infection and protect the health and safety of both prisoners and correctional staff.

Here are some key facts about the releases:

1. Mass releases: In March 2020, the US saw a surge in mass releases of prisoners from jails and prisons across the country. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, over 100,000 prisoners were released in March alone.
2. Federal prisons: The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has released over 15,000 prisoners since March 2020, citing concerns about the spread of COVID-19. The BOP has also implemented various measures to reduce the risk of infection, such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and increased cleaning and disinfection.
3. State prisons: Many state prisons have also released prisoners to reduce the risk of infection. For example, California has released over 8,000 prisoners since March 2020, while New York has released over 1,000 prisoners.
4. Jails: Local jails have also released prisoners to help stem the spread of COVID-19. According to the National Association of Counties, over 20,000 prisoners were released from local jails in March 2020 alone.
5. Criteria for release: The criteria for releasing prisoners vary by jurisdiction, but common factors include:
   • Age: Older prisoners are often released to reduce the risk of serious illness.
   • Health status: Prisoners with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems may be released to reduce the risk of serious illness.
   • Low-level offenses: Prisoners serving time for low-level offenses, such as misdemeanors, may be released to reduce the risk of infection.
   • Good behavior: Prisoners with good behavior records may be released to reduce the risk of infection and to reward good behavior.
6. Challenges: While releasing prisoners can help reduce the risk of infection, it also presents challenges, such as:
   • Ensuring public safety: Released prisoners may pose a risk to public safety, particularly if they are not supervised or monitored.
   • Reintegration: Released prisoners may struggle to reintegrate into society, particularly if they lack access to housing, employment, and other essential services.
   • Funding: Releasing prisoners can be costly, particularly if jurisdictions are required to provide housing, food, and other services to released prisoners.

Overall, releasing prisoners from US jails and prisons is a critical step to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and protect the health and safety of both prisoners and correctional staff. However, it also presents challenges that must be addressed to ensure public safety and support the reintegration of released prisoners into society.