U.S. Prisons Consider Releasing Inmates to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus

The continuous spread of the coronavirus has made major U.S. prisons like Rikers Island consider releasing their inmates. This is to “prevent a potentially catastrophic situation,” said Fox News.

According to the report, the debate on whether to release the inmates “follows Iran’s move on Tuesday to free some 85,000 inmates from its deeply infested and dilapidated prisons. The U.K., likewise, has suggested similar measures.”

BBC reported that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that city officials will identify individuals for release – “including people who were arrested for minor crimes and those most vulnerable to infection due to underlying health problems.” This announcement came after a guard and a prisoner tested positive for coronavirus at Rikers Island prison.

“Other New York prisons, such as Sing Sing, have had inmates test positive for coronavirus and one employee for the state's corrections department has died from it,” said BBC.

As American’s jails, prisons, and correction facilities have inadequate health conditions in normal circumstances, they pose a fertile breeding ground for the virus.

“The only way we can possibly keep incarcerated people safe is to release them,” said Justine Olderman, executive director of the advocacy group Bronx Defenders. “The next best thing is to drastically reduce the number of people being held.”

Fox News reported that some cities like Los Angeles and Cleveland have begun releasing some inmates, but there is no concerted effort yet at the federal level.