Coronavirus In Allegheny County: 189 County Jail Inmate Releases Have Been Requested Amid Virus Pandemic
ALLEGHENY COUNTY (KDKA) -- The Allegheny County Jail says 189 inmate releases have been requested amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The jail says officials are reviewing the cases to determine which inmates are appropriate for release at this time.
"This review is not limited to just those inmates with health problems, although those cases are being considered first. The Public Defender's Office is working to identify all non-violent inmates held only on cash bails," the jail said in a release.
Read the full release below.
"There have been a number of questions related to the release of inmates from the Allegheny County Jail; please find following a joint statement from the various offices listed within it:
"Staff in Criminal Court Administration, the Public Defender's Office and the District Attorney's Office are continually reviewing cases to determine which inmates are appropriate for release. Those cases are then addressed in Motions Court or reviewed with the assigned Judge depending on the circumstances. This review is not limited to just those inmates with health problems, although those cases are being considered first. The Public Defender's Office is working to identify all non-violent inmates held only on cash bails.
"So far, 189 inmate releases have been sent to the jail. Releases are being processed by the jail as they are received, and the same process related to discharge and release followed as is done traditionally. This includes ensuring that inmates being released have access to a free phone call, free bus ticket, free Intranasal Narcan (Naloxone HCL) upon affirmative response at time of offer, packet of requested community resource information, letter of Incarceration Verification (upon request), and inmates are also encouraged to take a flyer or business card to reach the Discharge & Release Center for assistance with future needs.
"This is an ongoing collaborative effort which includes the Judges, Court Administration, the Allegheny County Jail, the Public Defender, the District Attorney's Office, Adult Probation, Pretrial Services, and the Private Bar. Emergency petitions can also be filed and are addressed by the court in Motions Court."
