Cities across the United States are releasing hundreds of accused criminals deemed “non-violent,” claiming their release is necessary to ensure the Wuhan, China-originated coronavirus does not spread.
Los Angeles County, California
In Los Angeles County, California, Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed that more than 600 inmates deemed “non-violent” offenders and most at-risk of contracting the coronavirus had been released.
Villanueva said, according to the LA Times, officers should be citing and releasing individuals committing non-violent offenses as much as possible rather than booking them into prison.
Already, Los Angeles County has dropped their daily arrests from an average of 300 to just 60 over fears of the coronavirus, and officers are instructed to release all accused criminals who have a bail less than $50,000.
No coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the county jail.
Cook County, Illinois
In Cook County, Illinois, where the city of Chicago is located, the sheriff’s department is releasing inmates who are considered “highly vulnerable” to contracting the coronavirus. Officials have yet to say how many inmates have been released from prison thus far.
Those being released in Cook County have been deemed “non-violent.” The sheriff’s department is requesting the Cook County Public Defender, the Office of Chief Judge, and the Cook County State’s Attorney to follow their lead in making sure inmates and accused criminals are released.
No coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the county jail.
Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Cuyahoga County, Ohio — home to the most dangerous city in the state, Cleveland — is releasing hundreds of inmates from prison in fear that the coronavirus may spread among the prison population.
Judges in Cuyahoga County are even taking measures to quickly get through cases where accused criminals have pleaded guilty and can be readily released or sent home under house arrest measures.
Judges held a special Saturday morning session to settle cases with guilty pleas, release inmates, send them to prison, or release them on house arrest. The George Soros-funded American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) praised the release of inmates in Cuyahoga County, asking other counties and states to follow suit:
“Mass incarceration is a clear public health risk,” ACLU officials wrote online. “We encourage other states to follow Ohio’s leadership.”
Mass incarceration is a clear public health risk.
We encourage other states to follow Ohio’s leadership. https://t.co/AYZVfYUdEb
— ACLU (@ACLU) March 16, 2020
No coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the county jail.
John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter at @JxhnBinder.
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