By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
Jail releases prisoners due to coronavirus
Jail.jpg
The Warren County Jail population is now at 200 inmates, its lowest level in years. The low population has allowed for a holding area for new inmates entering the jail to ensure they aren’t infected with COVID-19.

Compassionate release is being used to reduce the inmate population at Warren County Jail.  

Warren County Sheriff’s Department Major Jason Walker says up to 30 inmates have been released early to reduce the inmate population as a preemptive step to prevent the potential spread of coronavirus.  

“We have released maybe 20 to 30 so far,” said Walker. “Some inmates who were scheduled for release in the next couple of weeks were released early by the judge. Other inmates who couldn’t make bond, but were non-violent offenders, were released on ankle monitors.”

On Tuesday, the jail’s population was 200. Capacity is 251. 

Compassionate release is a process by which inmates in criminal justice systems may be eligible for immediate early release on grounds of “particularly extraordinary or compelling circumstances which could not reasonably have been foreseen by the court at the time of sentencing.”

Due to the spread of COVID-19, jails and prisons across the country have begun releasing some inmates early or giving consideration to instituting a compassionate release initiative.

To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the state has banned social gathers of more than 10 people, urged people to practice social distancing, and until April 6, has required all restaurants, bars and other related businesses to offer only drive-thru, takeout and delivery options. 

Social distancing is a bit harder to do inside the jail. When the inmate population is 250 or higher, there is no ability to quarantine in the event of a coronavirus outbreak, says Walker. 

“Because our population has been reduced, we now have the ability to isolate new inmates until we can be sure they do not have the disease. At this time, we don’t have any coronavirus cases at the jail. We would like to keep it that way. By reducing the population, we want to open up some space to allow for a quarantine area to stem the spread of the disease if we do have an outbreak.”

Compassionate release was a joint decision by Warren County Sheriff’s Department, local judges and District Attorney Lisa Zavogiannis, according to Walker.