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Prison inmate release responses in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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This article covers state and local governments that released prison inmates in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find:


Overview of prison inmate release responses to the coronavirus

This page was last updated on July 1, 2020. At that time:

  • Twenty-one states had released inmates at the state level
  • Twelve states had released inmates on the local level
  • Eleven states had not released inmates due to coronavirus
  • Two states had prohibited the release of certain inmate populations
  • Four states had temporarily released certain populations of inmates

Prison inmate release responses by state

Alabama

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Alabama did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level. A few counties released inmates on the local level. [1]


Alaska

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Alaska did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on state level.


Arizona

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Arizona did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level. Two counties, Coconino and Pima, released incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on the local level. [2] [3]


Arkansas

  • May 12, 2020: Arkansas state officials announced that 300 inmates had been released from state prisons, and the state's Board of Corrections had made over 1,200 inmates eligible for parole since April. The releases follow an April 20 directive from Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) to consider the early release of some inmates due to the coronavirus pandemic.[4] A few local counties made the decision to release incarcerated individuals on the local level.[5]


California

State level

  • June 29, 2020: Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced that officials had identified 3,500 inmates that could potentially be released from prison. The inmates meet the same criteria as 3,500 other inmates released earlier this year. Each is within 150 days of release and considered medically vulnerable to coronavirus.[6]
  • June 16, 2020: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced that inmates in state prisons for nonviolent offenses with less than 180 days left on their sentences are eligible for supervised release effective July 1.[7]
  • June 12, 2020: The California Judicial Council voted 17-2 to rescind the coronavirus emergency bail schedule, effective June 20. The emergency bail schedule, adopted April 6, set bail at $0 for almost all misdemeanor and low-level felonies. The Judicial Council suggested courts could keep the emergency schedule or reduced bail schedules where appropriate. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 20,000 defendants accused of lower-level offenses have been released pre-trial.[8]
  • April 15, 2020: Following the adoption of a new emergency bail schedule, more than 300 inmates were released from county jails in San Diego. The new emergency bail schedule was adopted by the California Judicial Council on April 6, and set bail at $0 for almost all misdemeanor and low-level felonies. The schedule will last for 90 days past the expiration of the state of emergency.[9]
  • March 31, 2020: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) announced the expedited release of 3,500 inmates within a few weeks. The inmates considered for early release were serving terms for nonviolent crimes and were due to be released within 60 days.[10][11]

Local level

  • March 30, 2020: Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva released 1,700 people who were convicted of nonviolent misdemeanors and scheduled to be released within 30 days throughout the month of March.[12]


Colorado

  • May 29, 2020: The Colorado Department of Corrections announced on May 29 that 290 inmates have been released following a March 25th order from Gov. Jared Polis (D) which authorized the DOC to release people within 180 days of their parole eligibility date.[13]
  • May 28, 2020:The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado filed a class-action lawsuit against Gov. Jared Polis (D) and the Colorado Department of Corrections seeking an emergency order that would release inmates who are vulnerable to coronavirus.[14]
  • April 13, 2020: The Colorado Department of Corrections announced that 52 prisoners were granted early release.[15]
  • March 26, 2020: Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order which granted the director of the Department of Corrections "broad authority to release people within 180 days of their parole eligibility date, and suspended limits on awarding earned time, to allow for earlier release dates."[16] A few counties made the decision to release incarcerated individuals on the local level.[17]


Connecticut

  • June 8, 2020: In May, Connecticut Department of Corrections Commissioner Rollin Cook granted discretionary release to 560 people who had served 40 percent of their sentence. As part of a settlement from a federal lawsuit, the Connecticut Department of Corrections is required to identify inmates who are 65 years or older who meet specific medical criteria to expedite release consideration.[18]
  • May 12, 2020: U.S. District Court Judge Michael Shea for the District of Connecticut issued an order directing prison officials at the federal prison in Danbury to identify inmates with health conditions that make them vulnerable to the coronavirus and to provide a list to the court in about 13 days. The order follows a class-action lawsuit filed by nearly 1,000 inmates. Judge Shea did not rule on the inmate’s request for the mass transfer of inmates to either home confinement or other institutions, or the appointment of a special master to enforce measures, such as social distancing, in the institution. He did, however, order an expedited hearing schedule for questions.[19]
  • April 6, 2020: Officials from the Connecticut Department of Corrections announced that the state released 727 people from state prisons since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in early March, the most substantial one-month reduction of the prison population in the state's history.[20]


Delaware

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Delaware did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level.


Florida

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Florida did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level. A few counties made the decision to release incarcerated individuals on the local level.[21]


Georgia

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Georgia did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level. A few counties made the decision to release incarcerated individuals on the local level.[22]


Hawaii

  • May 1, 2020: Since March 2, 811 inmates have been released from Hawaii state prisons to slow the spread of coronavirus. 655 of the inmates released early followed expedited court reviews of motions filed by the Hawaii Office of the Public Defender.[23]


Idaho

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Idaho did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level.


Illinois

State response

  • April 29, 2020: The State of Illinois released a list of 4,000 inmates who were released since March to reduce the inmate population in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus in Illinois' state prisons. The list shows which inmates were released by Gov. J.B. Pritzker or the Illinois Department of Corrections. 3,000 of the inmates on the list had completed their sentences and most of the remaining were very close to their release dates.[24][25]
  • April 7, 2020: Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an order that allowed the Illinois Department of Corrections to temporarily release "medically vulnerable" inmates as long as the governor's disaster proclamation was in effect.[26]
  • March 23, 2020: Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order which relaxed restrictions on early inmate release for good behavior.[27]

Local response

  • March 17, 2020: Cook County, where Chicago is, released a few incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus.[28]


Indiana

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Indiana did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level. A few counties made the decision to release incarcerated individuals on the local level.[29]


Iowa

  • April 20, 2020: The Iowa Department of Corrections announced that the department was processing the early release of an additional 428 inmates. Since March 23, the Iowa Department of Corrections has released 811 inmates due to the coronavirus pandemic.[30]
  • March 23, 2020: The Iowa Department of Corrections announced the expedited release of over 700 inmates who were already eligible for release per the Iowa Board of Parole.[31] A few counties made the decision to release incarcerated individuals on the local level.[32]


Kansas

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Kansas did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level. A few counties made the decision to release incarcerated individuals on the local level.[33]


Kentucky

  • April 23, 2020: The Kentucky Supreme Court issued an order setting an emergency administrative release schedule to expedite the release of certain pre-trial defendants. The emergency release schedule will be implemented through May 31.[34]
  • April 14, 2020: The Kentucky Supreme Court issued a new emergency release schedule and emergency drug-testing schedule which temporarily expanded their Administrative Release Program. Kentucky's Administrative Release Program expedites the pretrial release of low-to-moderate risk defendants charged with nonviolent and nonsexual offenses. The order is in effect through May 31.[35][36]
  • April 2, 2020: Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 186 inmates' sentences were shortened, and indicated that the releases would be the first wave of early releases to help slow the spread of coronavirus. A second wave involved 743 inmates. He stated that all inmates were screened for symptoms of the disease before their release. Inmates also needed a residence to move into and quarantine for 14 days after their release.[37] A few counties have decided to release incarcerated individuals on the local level.[38]


Louisiana

State response

  • June 3, 2020: The Louisiana Department of Corrections announced it would suspend a furlough review panel established to reduce the state’s prison when Louisiana enters phase two of its reopening plan, which began June 5.[39]
  • April 30, 2020: Gov. John Bel Edwards office announced that 53 inmates, out of the 249 inmates considered, had been released as part of the Louisiana Department of Corrections furlough program announced earlier in April.[40]
  • April 14, 2020: The Louisiana Department of Corrections created a review panel to consider the temporary medical release of certain inmate populations due to the coronavirus pandemic. State prison inmates considered for release had underlying health conditions, were convicted of nonviolent offenses excluding sex offenses, were set to be released within six months, and able to show proof of housing upon release. Inmates mostly being held in county jails were subject to the same criteria, except the requirement of an underlying health condition. These inmates must have already served at least six months of their sentence to be considered.[41]
  • April 6, 2020: Francis Abbott, executive director for the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Parole, issued a "Certification of Inability to Operate Due to Lack of Quorum," which allowed the parole board to hold hearings remotely through video or phone conferencing, effective April 15.[42]

Local response

  • March 26, 2020: District court judges in New Orleans issued orders for the immediate release of people "awaiting trial for misdemeanors, arrested for failure to appear at probation status hearing, detained in contempt of court, or detained for failing a drug test while on bond."[43]


Maine

  • June 8, 2020: U.S. District Judge John Woodcock denied a temporary restraining order requested by two inmates at the Mountain View Correctional Facility. Woodcock wrote, "The Court is not prepared — prior to an evidentiary hearing and without a showing that disaster is truly imminent — to substitute its judgment for that of the MDOC and Commissioner Liberty when it comes to administration of their facilities." The temporary restraining order would have required Maine Department of Corrections officials to review cases of all medically vulnerable inmates for release to allow them the ability to social distance due to the coronavirus pandemic.[44]
  • April 21, 2020: Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced during a press briefing that the Maine Department of Corrections had released 60 inmates to supervised community confinement. Inmates were determined eligible based on the risk posed to the public and the length of time left on their sentence.[45] A few counties made the decision to release inmates on the local level.[46]


Maryland

  • April 18, 2020: Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an executive order authorizing the release of certain inmate populations due to coronavirus. The order authorizes the Commissioner of Correction to release inmates who are scheduled to be released within 120 days or who are eligible for expedited home detention. The order also authorized the Maryland Parole Commission to consider accelerated parole for eligible inmates who are at least 60 years old, have a record of good institutional adjustment, an approved home plan, and who have been convicted of nonviolent offenses.[47][48]
  • April 14, 2020: Maryland Supreme Court Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera ordered trials courts in the state to identify and release inmates who are vulnerable to coronavirus and pose no risk to the public.[49]


Massachusetts

  • June 2, 2020: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court declined a request to release sentenced inmates due to coronavirus. The court said that while incarceration increases the risk of contacting coronavirus, it does not violate the Eighth Amendment’s provisions against cruel and unusual punishment. The court did rule that those committed to addiction treatment involuntarily could seek immediate release. The court’s decision follows a request for a preliminary injunction filed by Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts.[50]
  • May 28, 2020: [51]
  • May 20, 2020: Plymouth County and Norfolk county jails have reduced their inmate populations by 20 percent. The reduction follows an April 5 order from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, which authorized the release of people being held in county jails pretrial for nonviolent offenses, and technical and parole violations.[52]
  • May 5, 2020: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court released a report stating that 993 inmates have been released from the state’s prison and jails since April 3, though the report does not make it clear how many inmates were released because of the pandemic or how many were released due to their sentences ending.[53]
  • April 22, 2020: According to a new report, 637 inmates have been released from Massachusetts state prisons and county jails since April 5, following an April 3 order from the Massachusetts Supreme Court.[54]
  • April 14, 2020: State prisons and county jails in Massachusetts have released 367 inmates due to the coronavirus pandemic. The releases follow an April 3 order from the Massachusetts Supreme Court, which directed officials to release most people being held in jail pretrial.[55]
  • April 3, 2020: The Massachusetts Supreme Court ordered most people being held in jail pretrial be released on their own recognizance due to coronavirus. The order also prohibited the release of certain inmate populations, including those charged with violent, sex or drug trafficking crimes.[56] A few counties have released incarcerated individuals on the local level.[57]


Michigan

  • June 9, 2020: According to the Prison Policy Initiative, the number of inmates paroled from Michigan state prisons reportedly increased by about 1,000 people per month to curb the spread of coronavirus. The Michigan Department of Corrections reported June 5 that the overall inmate population has been reduced five percent since March 20.[58]
  • April 14, 2020: The Michigan Department of Corrections reported that 13 percent of the state prison population is eligible for parole and that the officials are looking to first release inmates who are nonviolent and over the age of 60 with health issues. However, according to the agency, no offenses are off-limits. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, the number of inmates paroled in the state reportedly increased by about 1,000 people per month due to the coronavirus pandemic.[59]
  • March 30, 2020: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order which suspended provisions of the "Jail Overcrowding Emergency Act" to allow local officials to release vulnerable populations who pose no risk to the public.[60]


Minnesota

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Minnesota did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level. Hennepin County released incarcerated individuals on the local level.[61]


Mississippi

  • April 23, 2020: The Supreme Court of Mississippi ordered senior circuit judges to review the cases of all pretrial defendants who are eligible for bail. The order allowed judges to take into consideration the impact of coronavirus, either real or potential, within an individual detention center when reviewing cases as a condition of release.[62]


Missouri

  • March 30, 2020: Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice George Draper issued a letter to trial court judges clarifying statutes for pre-trial, post-conviction release and the court's authority to release an offender sentenced to a term in county jail or on parole.[63] A few counties released inmates on the local level.[64]


Montana

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Montana did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level.


Nebraska

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Nebraska did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level.


Nevada

  • April 30, 2020: The Nevada Supreme Court declined a petition filed by an inmate to release vulnerable and elderly prisoners due to the coronavirus pandemic. The court stated that there was a dispute of facts between the inmate who filed the petition and the Nevada Department of Corrections. The court also dismissed on procedural grounds efforts to make the case a class action that applies broadly to other vulnerable inmates. In their unanimous opinion, the court stated that their observations were consistent with other state courts faced with the same issue, citing similar decisions in Kansas and Washington.[65][66]


New Hampshire

  • Between March 30 and July 1, New Hampshire did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level.


New Jersey

  • April 28, 2020: The New Jersey Department of Corrections announced that 54 inmates have been placed on emergency medical-home confinement due to the coronavirus pandemic. The temporary releases follow an April 10 order from Gov. Phil Murphy, who authorized the temporary release of certain inmates to slow the spread of the pandemic.[67]
  • April 21, 2020: Corrections officials in New Jersey announced that they are considering the release of 1,105 inmates due to the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement follows an April 10 executive order signed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D). In his order, Murphy established a process for certain inmates to be released to temporary home confinement or to be granted parole. Those qualified for release include low-risk incarcerated individuals vulnerable to the disease based on age and health status, and low-risk inmates who have been denied parole within the last year, or whose sentences are set to expire in the next three months.[68]
  • April 10, 2020: Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued an executive order that established a process for certain inmates to be released to temporary home confinement or to be granted parole due to coronavirus. Those qualified for release include low-risk incarcerated individuals vulnerable to the disease based on age and health status, and low-risk inmates who have been denied parole within the last year, or whose sentences are set to expire in the next three months.[69][70]
  • March 24, 2020: The New Jersey Supreme Court issued an order that suspended or commuted county jail sentences for low-risk inmates due to the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic.[71]


New Mexico

  • May 4, 2020: The New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously denied a petition filed by ACLU and the New Mexico Public Defender's office asking for the mass release of at least 500 nonviolent inmates, including inmates over the age of 65 and inmates within a year of their release. On April 6, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) issued an executive order releasing inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes and scheduled to be released in the next 30 days. 33 inmates have been released under the order. [72]
  • April 6, 2020: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) issued an executive order which released inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes and scheduled to be released in the next 30 day. The order required inmates to have parole in place prior to release.[73] The Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque has made the decision to release inmates on the local level. [74]


New York

  • June 8, 2020: The New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision reported that 898 inmates had been released due to the coronavirus pandemic. The releases follow a March 28 announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) that up to 1,100 people being held in jails and prisons in the state could be released with community supervision.[75][76]
  • March 27, 2020: Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the release of 1,100 people who violated parole from jails and prisons across the state.[77]

Local level

  • April 10, 2020: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that more than 1,500 inmates were released from city jails since March 16.[78]
  • March 31, 2020: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that 900 inmates were released to slow the spread of coronavirus in the city's jails.[79]
  • March 29, 2020: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced the release of at least 650 inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes and serving sentences of less than a year from Rikers Island.[80]


North Carolina

  • June 8, 2020: Wake County Superior Court Judge Vince M. Rozier Jr. issued a preliminary injunction against prison officials in North Carolina. In his ruling, Rozier stated, “...this Court finds that [the] Defendant’s acted in violation of the Eighth Amendment’s ‘deliberate indifference test’...The Court notes that [the] Defendant failed to provide substantial COVID-19 testing to accompany the crowded and communal social distancing protocols, transferring inmates between facilities without properly protecting those inmates or preventing the spread of COVID-19 in contradiction to CDC guidelines, and providing disparate levels of COVID-19 protection as between different facilities. These actions, at the very least, lie ‘somewhere between the poles of negligence at one end and purpose or knowledge at the other.’” Rozier outlined steps for prison officials to implement “until the substantial risk of COVID-19 has been satisfactorily diminished.” Steps include reopening the application process for homes, facilities, and programs willing to participate as partners in early release for approved inmates, and requiring coronavirus testing before transferring inmates between facilities.[81][82]
  • May 26, 2020: Attorneys for 11 inmates at the federal prison in Butner filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Eastern District Court of North Carolina asking that all inmates vulnerable to coronavirus be released within 24 hours. The American Civil Liberties Union is helping to represent the plaintiffs.[83]
  • May 3, 2020: The North Carolina Department of Corrections announced that since March 1, 485 inmates have been released early from state prisons to slow the spread of coronavirus. An additional 182 inmates were released to serve the remainder of their sentences in home confinement.[84]
  • April 13, 2020: North Carolina prison officials announced that the state started to release some inmates early to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The inmates considered for early release include: inmates who are pregnant, inmates 65 and older with underlying health conditions, female inmates who are 50 or older with health conditions and a 2020 release date, inmates who are 65 or older and have a 2020 release date, inmates who are on home leave with a 2020 release date, and inmates on work release with a 2020 release date.[85]


North Dakota

  • May 8, 2020: The North Dakota Parole Board granted parole to 120 inmates in the month of March related to the coronavirus pandemic. In the month of April, more than 100 inmates were granted parole, though there is no official statement as to whether these releases were due to the pandemic.[86]
  • March 31, 2020: The North Dakota Parole Board granted early release to 56 out of 60 state prisoners who applied for consideration with expected release dates in late March and early April.[87]


Ohio

  • May 26, 2020: The Supreme Court of the United States declined to stay an order issued by U.S. District Judge James Gwin that would require the government to move hundreds of at-risk inmates from federal prison. The Department of Justice appealed Gwin’s order, first to the Sixth Circuit (who declined to act) and then to the Supreme Court. The court’s statement noted that Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch would have granted the administration’s request.[88]
  • May 19, 2020: On May 19, U.S. District Court Judge James Gwin for the Northern District of Ohio ordered the Bureau of Prisons to expedite the release of 837 medically vulnerable inmates in Ohio’s Elkton Federal Correctional Institute through home confinement or compassionate release due to the coronavirus pandemic. In his order, the judge cited “poor progress in transferring the subclass members out of Elkton through the various means referenced in the Court’s preliminary injunction order.” The ruling follows a class action habeas petition filed by the ACLU of Ohio and the Ohio Justice and Policy Center.[89]
  • April 22, 2020: U.S. District Court Judge James Gwin for the Northern District of Ohio ordered the transfer or release of certain vulnerable inmate populations from Elkton prison, a federal prison in Ohio, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Inmates who are older with underlying health conditions are considered for transfer out of the prison through, but not limited to, compassionate release, parole or community supervision, transfer furlough, or non-transfer furlough within two weeks. Those who are deemed ineligible, but are still vulnerable, will be transferred to another Bureau of Prisons facility where measures, such as testing and social distancing, can be taken.[90]
  • April 16, 2020: Gov. Mike DeWine authorized the release of 105 inmates who were near the end of their sentences. The releases were approved by Ohio's Correctional Institution Inspection Committee. The inmates released were nonviolent offenders with no warrants in other states or significant prison rule violations and were within 90 days of their initial release date.[91]
  • April 14, 2020: Ohio's Correctional Institution Inspection Committee, at the request of Gov. Mike DeWine, approved the early release of 141 inmates due to the coronavirus pandemic. The inmates considered for release were within 90 days of their original release date and were not convicted of violent or sex offenses.[92]
  • April 3, 2020: Gov. Mike DeWine announced that his administration recommended the release of 38 inmates, who had not been convicted of violent offenses, due to coronavirus.[93] A few counties made the decision to release incarcerated individuals on the local level.[94]


Oklahoma

  • April 13, 2020: Gov. Kevin Stitt approved the release of 400 inmates to help slow the spread of coronavirus in Oklahoma prisons.[95] Oklahoma County Jail made the decision to release vulnerable inmates on the local level.[96]


Oregon

  • June 12, 2020: Governor Kate Brown provided the Oregon Department of Corrections with criteria for the agency to present her office with a list of inmates who may be eligible for early release. Criteria include medically vulnerable inmates, those not serving a sentence for crimes against another person, and those who have served half of their sentences. The Department of Corrections reported that about 100 inmates fit this criteri[97]
  • April 14, 2020: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that she would not release inmates due to the coronavirus pandemic. During a press conference on April 14, Brown stated that she was concerned about coronavirus in state prisons and that she had reviewed the Oregon Department of Correction's plan for containment. The governor said, "Whether an adult in custody should be released before the end of their sentence or not is a decision that must be weighed based on the individual merits of their situation...I want to be clear: at this time, I have no specific plans to abandon that case-by-case approach."[98]
  • March 27, 2020: The Oregon Supreme Court ordered presiding judges to work with law enforcement and community corrections to identify individuals who could safely be released or were eligible for release.[99]


Pennsylvania

  • April 15, 2020: Gov. Tom Wolf issued temporary reprieves for the first group Pennsylvania state inmates who qualified under criteria established through Wolf’s April 10 order. Inmates considered for release under Wolf’s order are nonviolent inmates due to be released within the next nine months, or vulnerable inmates who are within 12 months of their release date. The inmates would return to prison upon the expiration of the disaster emergency to serve the remainder of their sentences.[100]
  • April 10, 2020: Gov. Tom Wolf announced that certain inmate populations would be released temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nonviolent inmates due to be released within the next nine months, or vulnerable inmates who are within 12 months of their release date were being considered. The inmates would return to prison upon the expiration of the disaster emergency to serve the remainder of their sentences.[101][102]
  • April 7, 2020: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court declined to release juveniles held in detention, correctional, or other residential facilities. The court directed judges to work with county stakeholders to address the spread of coronavirus where minors were held.[103]
  • April 3, 2020: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court declined to order inmate releases on the state-level, and directed presiding judges in each judicial district to coordinate with county correctional institutions to ensure they were addressing concerns due to coronavirus.[104] A few counties have made the decision to release inmates on the local level.[105]


Rhode Island

  • April 3, 2020: The Rhode Island Supreme Court ordered an expedited hearing for 52 inmates in an effort to reduce the state prison population.[106]
  • March 25, 2020: The Rhode Island Department of Corrections submitted lists of people being held on low bail amounts to the public defender's and attorney general's offices weekly for evaluation, as well as assessing people with less than four years left on their sentences to see if they could be released early to help reduce the prison population due to coronavirus.[107]


South Carolina

  • March 16, 2020: South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty issued a memo to local magistrate and municipal judges which directed courts to release persons charged with non-capital crimes, so long as they did not pose a danger to the public or were an extreme flight-risk.[108]


South Dakota

  • Between March 30 and July 1, South Dakota did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level.


Tennessee

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Tennessee did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level. A few counties released incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on the local level.[109]


Texas

  • April 10, 2020: Texas 261st District Court Judge Lora Livingston issued a ruling that temporarily blocked Gov. Greg Abbott's March 29 order prohibiting the release of certain inmate populations without paying bail.[110] The ruling followed a lawsuit filed against Gov. Abbott and Attorney General of the State of Texas Ken Paxton, by Harris County's misdemeanor judges, criminal defense organizations and the NAACP of Texas.[111] Livingston's ruling limited the governor and attorney general from enforcing the March 29 order against judges and set a hearing for the plaintiff's application for a temporary injunction for April 24.[112][113]
  • March 29, 2020: Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order which prohibited the release of inmates accused or previously convicted of violent crimes without paying bail.[114] A few counties released incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on the local level.[115]


Utah

State responses

  • March 26, 2020: The Utah Department of Corrections announced that they would release at least 80 inmates amid the pandemic.[116]

Local responses

  • March 20, 2020: Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced that officials planned to release 90 inmates amid the pandemic, with the plan to release more in the future in an effort to free up between 150 to 200 beds.[117]


Vermont

  • March 26, 2020: The Vermont Department of Corrections announced that they released almost 200 inmates since late February to slow the spread of coronavirus. [118]


Virginia

  • May 8, 2020: As of May 7, the Virginia Department of Corrections released 130 inmates and approved the early release of an additional 100 inmates due to the coronavirus pandemic.[86]
  • April 29, 2020: The Virginia Department of Corrections announced 62 inmates have been released since the state’s early release program went into effect on April 22. The early release program prioritizes the release of nonviolent offenders with less than a year on their sentences.[119]
  • April 23, 2020: In an April 22 special session of Virginia's General Assembly, lawmakers approved an amendment proposed by Gov. Ralph Northam to allow limited inmate releases due to the coronavirus pandemic. Under the amendment, the Virginia Department of Corrections has the authority to release nonviolent inmates with a year or less left on their sentence. The authority is granted through July 2021.[120] Norfolk county released incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on the local level.[121]


Washington

  • April 23, 2020: The Washington Supreme Court rejected an emergency petition seeking to compel Gov. Jay Inslee (D) to order the mass release of thousands of inmates. In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled that the plaintiffs in the case, which was filed by Columbia Legal Services, had not proved that the state failed in its duties to incarcerated individuals. The decision is not expected to affect current efforts the state is undertaking to release certain inmate populations in an effort to reduce the number of people incarcerated in Washington.[122]
  • April 22, 2020: Officials in Washington announced that more than 300 inmates have been released due to the coronavirus pandemic. As of April 21, Gov. Jay Inslee had commuted the sentences of 293 inmates who were due to be released in 60 days. An additional 600 inmates are being considered for the Washington Department of Correction's "rapid re-entry" program, which would allow inmates to be released with electronic monitoring.[123]
  • April 13, 2020: Gov. Jay Inslee announced that the state plans to release almost 1,000 inmates early to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The inmates considered for early release are those vulnerable to the disease and nonviolent offenders already scheduled to be released.[124] The Spokane Municipal Court issued an emergency order which suspended court operations, and resulted in the release of some pretrial prisoners and those with "low-level" offenses.[125]


Washington D.C.


West Virginia

  • March 27, 2020: The West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety announced they released two-groups of inmates as a coronavirus precaution.[126]


Wisconsin

  • May 8, 2020: The Wisconsin Department of Corrections announced that nearly 1,600 inmates have been released since March to help slow the spread of coronavirus. According to the Department of Corrections, most of the inmates released were held on probation, parole or extended supervision violations.[127] A few counties released inmates on the local level.[128]


Wyoming

  • Between March 30 and July 1, Wyoming did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level. A few counties released inmates on the local level.[129]


General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Montgomery Advertiser, "Coronavirus: County jail inmates ordered released in Autauga, Elmore, Chilton counties," March 18, 2020
  2. ↑ Arizona Daily Sun, "Coconino County jail releases nonviolent inmates in light of coronavirus concerns," March 20, 2020
  3. ↑ KOVA.com, News 4 Tucson,"Pima County Jail inmates released to keep correctional officers, inmates safe from COVID-19," March 27, 2020
  4. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," May 14, 2020
  5. ↑ Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,"Arkansas' prisons, jails take steps to protect inmates' health," March 23, 2020
  6. ↑ KTLA, "Newsom says 3,500 more inmates may be released to slow spread of coronavirus in California prisons," June 30, 2020
  7. ↑ The Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," June 17, 2020
  8. ↑ Lake County News, "Judicial Council, chief justice end some emergency measures as California and courts expand reopening," June 12, 2020
  9. ↑ The San Diego Union-Tribune, "Hundreds released from jail under new bail rules, but prosecutors object to release of nearly 200 more," April 15, 2020
  10. ↑ The L.A. Times, "As coronavirus death toll mounts, California sees life upended for weeks to come," April 1, 2020
  11. ↑ The Hill, "California to release up to 3,500 non-violent inmates amid coronavirus outbreak," March 31, 2020
  12. ↑ New York Times, "‘Jails Are Petri Dishes’: Inmates Freed as the Virus Spreads Behind Bars," March 30, 2020
  13. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," June 1, 2020
  14. ↑ NBC 9 News, "ACLU lawsuit asks for release of nonviolent inmates at risk due to COVID-19," May 28, 2020
  15. ↑ The Denver Post, "52 inmates released early from Colorado prisons as officials try to create space in case of coronavirus outbreaks," April 13, 2020
  16. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," March 31, 2020
  17. ↑ CPR News, "Colorado’s Justice System Is Still Catching Up To Coronavirus," March 24, 2020
  18. ↑ The Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," June 8, 2020
  19. ↑ Hartford Courant, "U.S. Judge backs prison inmates in Danbury on COVID-19 suit, orders warden to move fast on requests for release," May 12, 2020
  20. ↑ CT Post, "State prisons releasing inmates due to coronavirus as positive tests rise," April 6, 2020
  21. ↑ Miami Herald, "Coronavirus is a get out of jail free card for some offenders in Florida," March 26, 2020
  22. ↑ Gainesville Times, "Roughly 200 inmates released from Hall County Jail amid coronavirus response," March 25, 2020
  23. ↑ Star-Advertiser, "Hundreds of Hawaii inmates freed from overcrowded facilities to limit exposure to COVID-19," May 1, 2020
  24. ↑ CI Proud.com, "Illinois has released almost 4,000 prisoners, including 64 murderers," April 29, 2020
  25. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," accessed May 7, 2020
  26. ↑ NBC 5 Chicago, "Pritzker Signs Executive Order Allowing Prisoner Furloughs," April 7, 2020
  27. ↑ Loyola Phoenix, "Illinois Reaches 1,285 COVID-19 Cases, Gov. Pritzker Eases Restrictions on Prison Release," March 23, 2020
  28. ↑ NBC5 Chicago,"Cook County Jail Releases Detainees ‘Highly Vulnerable’ to Coronavirus," March 17, 2020
  29. ↑ South Ben Tribune, "St. Joseph, other counties release nonviolent inmates and limit arrests in wake of coronavirus," March 29
  30. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," April 21, 2020
  31. ↑ Times-Republican, "Iowa’s prisons will accelerate release of approved inmates to mitigate COVID-19," March 23, 2020
  32. ↑ Des Moines Register,"Prisons and jails are literally petri dishes': Inmates released, arrests relaxed across Iowa amid fears of coronavirus," March 23, 2020
  33. ↑ The Wichita Eagle, "So far, 200 jail inmates released over COVID-19 concerns, Sedgwick County DA says, " March 26, 2020
  34. ↑ Supreme Court of Kentucky, "Amended Order - IN RE: KENTUCKY COURT OF JUSTICE EMERGENCY RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR PRETRIAL DEFENDANTS AND EMERGENCY PRETRIAL DRUG TESTING STANDARDS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 EMERGENCY," April 23, 2020
  35. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts," April 15, 2020
  36. ↑ K105, "KY SUPREME COURT EXPANDS INMATE RELEASE PROGRAM, EXTENDS NO IN-PERSON PROCEEDINGS ORDER," April 15, 2020
  37. ↑ Courier Journal, "Kentucky to release 186 inmates as coronavirus cases rapidly increase; 700 more up next," April 2, 2020
  38. ↑ Lexington Herald-Leader "KY inmate tested for COVID-19, others quarantined as critics urge prisoner releases," March 30, 2020
  39. ↑ The Lens, "DOC to suspend prisoner release program as state enters phase two of reopening," June 3, 2020
  40. ↑ The Advocate, "Release denied for most Louisiana inmates considered under new coronavirus furlough program," April 30, 2020
  41. ↑ The Advocate, "Review panel to consider medical release for some Louisiana state prison inmates due to coronavirus," April 14, 2020
  42. ↑ State of Louisiana Board of Pardons and Parole, "CERTIFICATION OF INABILITY TO OPERATE DUE TO LACK OF QUORUM," April 6, 2020
  43. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," March 31, 2020
  44. ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Maine prisons don’t have enough COVID cases to warrant immediate releases, judge says," June 8, 2020
  45. ↑ Maine Public, "Maine Released Dozens Of Prisoners To Prevent COVID-19 Spread. But Advocates Say More Should Be Done," April 21, 2020
  46. ↑ Press Herald, "Maine jails, prisons begin inmate releases in light of coronavirus," March 30, 2020
  47. ↑ WBAL TV 11, "Governor signs order to release certain inmates amid coronavirus pandemic," April 19, 2020
  48. ↑ The State of Maryland Executive Department, "Order of the Governor of the State of Maryland No. 20-04-18-01," April 18, 2020
  49. ↑ Baltimore Sun, "Maryland Chief Judge Barbera encourages release of at-risk prisoners amid coronavirus pandemic," April 14, 2020
  50. ↑ WBUR, "Mass. High Court Refuses To Release Convicted Prisoners Because Of COVID-19," June 2, 2020
  51. ↑ Mass Live, "Coronavirus and prisons: ACLU seeks release of more prisoners at Federal Medical Center in Devens, claims warden is disregarding health risks to inmates," May 28, 2020
  52. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," May 20, 2020
  53. ↑ WBUR, "Almost 1,000 Prisoners Released In Mass. Amid Pandemic," May 5, 2020
  54. ↑ WBUR, "More Than 600 Massachusetts Prisoners Released Amid Pandemic," April 22, 2020
  55. ↑ WBUR, "So Far, More Than 300 Prisoners Released Due To COVID-19 Under Mass. High Court's Ruling," April 14, 2020
  56. ↑ CommonWealth, "SJC orders release of most defendants awaiting trial," April 3, 2020
  57. ↑ WBUR, "Some Mass. Prisoners Are Being Released In Response To The Coronavirus Outbreak," March 25, 2020
  58. ↑ The Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," June 9, 2020
  59. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," April 15, 2020
  60. ↑ WXTZ, March 29, 2020
  61. ↑ [ CBS Minnesota, WCCO,"Coronavirus In Minnesota: Hennepin County Jail Population Cut By 26% After Release Of Low-Risk Inmates To Prevent COVID-19 Spread," March 23, 2020]
  62. ↑ In the Supreme Court of Mississippi, "IN RE: EMERGENCY ORDER RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)," April 23, 2020
  63. ↑ National Center for State Court, "Coronavirus and the Courts - April 1, April 1, 2020
  64. ↑ The Kansas City Star, "Jackson County jail releases 80 inmates as threat of coronavirus looms," March 27, 2020
  65. ↑ The Nevada Independent, May 1, 2020 declines 74-year-old prisoner’s request for early release because of COVID-19 concerns," May 1, 2020
  66. ↑ In the Supreme Court of Nevada "Order Denying Petition," April 30, 2020
  67. ↑ NJ Spotlight, "After Slow Start, State Begins Furloughing Prisoners to Stem Spread of COVID-19," April 28, 2020
  68. ↑ NJ.com, "1,100 inmates could soon be released from N.J. prisons as coronavirus death toll rises," April 21, 2020
  69. ↑ NBC10 Philadephia, "NJ Reveals More Coronavirus Deaths; Some Prisoners to Get Home Confinement," April 10, 2020
  70. ↑ The Philadephia Inquirer, "Thousands of state prison inmates in Pa. and N.J. are now eligible for temporary release as governors act to avert coronavirus spread," April 10, 2020
  71. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - March 24, 2020," March 24, 2020
  72. ↑ KOB , "NM Supreme Court denies petition for early release of prisoners due to COVID-19 threat," May 4, 2020
  73. ↑ The Hill, "States move to protect prisoners from coronavirus outbreaks," April 9, 2020
  74. ↑ U.S. News, "New Mexico Prepares for More Cases, Extended School Closures," March 26, 2020
  75. ↑ Rolling Stone, "Ramsey Orta, Man Who Filmed Eric Garner’s Arrest, Has Been Released From Prison," June 8, 2020
  76. ↑ Democrat and Chronicle, "NY to release up to 1,100 low-level parole violators from jails to stop coronavirus spread," March 28, 2020
  77. ↑ Times Union, "NY to release 1,100 parole violators as coronavirus spreads," March 27, 2020
  78. ↑ New York Post, "More than 1,500 NYC inmates have been released during coronavirus crisis," April 10, 2020
  79. ↑ The Hill, "New York City has released 900 inmates in response to coronavirus pandemic," March 31, 2020
  80. ↑ New York Times, "‘Jails Are Petri Dishes’: Inmates Freed as the Virus Spreads Behind Bars," March 30, 2020
  81. ↑ The Honorable Vince Rozier, Jr., "Re: NAACP v. Cooper, 20CVS500110, Supplemental Information for Drafting of Order," June 8, 2020
  82. ↑ The News & Observer, "NC prisons start moving inmates but judge says more COVID-19 protections needed," June 9, 2020
  83. ↑ News & Observer, "Inmates file coronavirus lawsuit seeking more releases from Butner federal prison in NCInmates file coronavirus lawsuit seeking more releases from Butner federal prison in NC," May 26, 2020
  84. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," accessed May 5, 2020
  85. ↑ The Charlotte Observer, "Ramping up fight against COVID-19, NC begins releasing some inmates early," April 13, 2020
  86. ↑ 86.0 86.1 Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," May 12, 2020
  87. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," March 31, 2020
  88. ↑ The Washington Post, "Supreme Court won’t stop Ohio order for prisoners to be moved or released because of coronavirus," May 26, 2020
  89. ↑ United States District Court Nothern District of Ohio, "Order on Motion to Enforce," May 19, 2020
  90. ↑ United States District Court Northern District of Ohio "Craig Wilson, et al., vs. Mark Williams, et al.," April 22, 2020
  91. ↑ City Beat, "DeWine Authorizes Release of 105 Inmates as Coronavirus Cases in Ohio Prisons Swell into the Hundreds," April 16, 2020
  92. ↑ Cincinnati.com, "Coronavirus in Ohio: Lawmakers recommend release of about 141 non-violent inmates near end of sentences," April 14, 2020
  93. ↑ [ Scene, "DeWine Recommends Release of 38 Ohio Prison Inmates Due to Coronavirus; Advocates Want Many More Released," April 3, 2020]
  94. ↑ Washington Post, ""‘Disaster waiting to happen’: Thousands of inmates released as jails and prisons face coronavirus threat," March 25, 2020
  95. ↑ KOCO News 5, "Pardon and Parole Board considering more inmate commutations to fight spread of coronavirus," April 13, 2020
  96. ↑ The Oklahoman, "Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Over 200 nonviolent offenders released from Oklahoma County jail to limit COVID-19 spread," March 25, 2020
  97. ↑ The Prison Policy Initiative", "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," June 17, 2020
  98. ↑ OPB, "Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Won't Release Prisoners Over COVID Risks," April 14, 2020
  99. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - March 30," March 30, 2020
  100. ↑ Pennsylvania Pressroom, "Gov. Wolf: Corrections Announces First Group of Inmates Under Temporary Reprieve Program," April 15, 2020
  101. ↑ Governor Tom Wolf, "Gov. Wolf: Department of Corrections to Establish Temporary Program to Reprieve Sentences of Incarceration," April 10, 2020
  102. ↑ The Philadephia Inquirer, "Thousands of state prison inmates in Pa. and N.J. are now eligible for temporary release as governors act to avert coronavirus spread," April 10, 2020
  103. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - April 7, 2020," April 8, 2020
  104. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - April 6, 2020," April 6, 2020
  105. ↑ WPVI-TV, "Philadelphia, Delaware county officials work to thin jail, prison populations amid COVID-19," March 28, 2020
  106. ↑ [ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - April 6, 2020," April 6, 2020]
  107. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," March 31, 2020
  108. ↑ The Supreme Court of South Carolina "Memorandum - March 16," March 16, 2020
  109. ↑ News Channel 5 - Nashville, "More inmates will be released early because of coronavirus threat," March 26, 2020
  110. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Court blocks Gov. Abbott's order limiting jail release during pandemic after judges challenged its constitutionality," April 10, 2020
  111. ↑ "In the District Court Travis County, Texas 459th Judicial District", "Temporary restraining order and order setting hearing from temporary injunction," April 10, 2020
  112. ↑ Temporary restraining order and order setting hearing from temporary injunction," April 10, 2020
  113. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Court blocks Gov. Abbott's order limiting jail release during pandemic after judges challenged its constitutionality," April 10, 2020
  114. ↑ [https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/29/texas-governor-bans-release-without-bail-some-inmates-amid-coronavirus/ The Texas Tribune, "As local officials shrink jail populations due to coronavirus, Abbott blocks release of some inmates who can’t pay bail," March 29, 2020[
  115. ↑ Texas Tribune, "As local officials shrink jail populations due to coronavirus, Abbott blocks release of some inmates who can’t pay bail," March 29, 2020
  116. ↑ The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah prison officials plan to release at least 80 inmates early in response to coronavirus," March 26, 2020
  117. ↑ [ The Salt Lake Tribune, "Hundreds of Utah inmates will soon be released in response to coronavirus," March 20, 2020]
  118. ↑ Valley News, "‘It’s very difficult to control’: Many Vermont inmates released so that those who remain can be spread out," March 26, 2020
  119. ↑ 13 News Now, "Virginia Department of Corrections releasing inmates to the public after they test positive for coronavirus," April 29, 2020
  120. ↑ WHSV, "Va. lawmakers give Dept. of Corrections power to release some inmates early," April 23, 2020
  121. ↑ The The Virginian-Pilot, "Aiming to prevent jailhouse coronavirus outbreak, Norfolk frees hundreds of inmates," March 29, 2020
  122. ↑ The Seattle Times, "Washington Supreme Court rejects lawsuit seeking additional release of prisoners due to coronavirus threat," April 23, 2020
  123. ↑ Q13 Fox, "More than 300 inmates released from Washington prisons due to COVID-19 concerns," April 22, 2020
  124. ↑ KOMO News, "State to release nearly 1,000 nonviolent prison inmates early to limit COVID-19 spread," April 13, 2020
  125. ↑ The Spokesman-Review, "Dozens released from Spokane County custody following Municipal Court emergency order," March 17, 2020
  126. ↑ WV Metro News, "Prisoners released as coronavirus precaution," March 27, 2020
  127. ↑ NBC 15, "Corrections: Nearly 1,600 inmates released due to COVID-19," May 8, 2020
  128. ↑ Greenwich Time, "Thousands of inmates released as jails face coronavirus threat," March 25, 2020
  129. ↑ Casper Star-Tribune "Riverton circuit court judge releases jail inmates over virus," March 20, 2020
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