The Cuyahoga County Court in Ohio is considering the release of more than 300 low-level offenders from the Cuyahoga County Justice Center in an effort to prevent COVID-19 from spreading through the jail, which houses around 1,900 prisoners.
Authorities compiled a list of older inmates and those who have underlying health conditions that increase their risk of contracting a severe case of the coronavirus. Officials are holding hearings to determine if the inmates should be released, and what the terms of their release should be.
Not every prisoner will walk away free and clear. Prosecutors are hoping to reach plea deals with inmates waiting for trial. Some inmates may be given house arrest, while others could be transferred to the Ohio Department of Corrections.
Administrative judge Brendan Sheehan told WOIO that they must act now to prevent the virus from spreading through the prison.
"It's not a matter of if this virus hits us, it's a matter of when," Sheehan told the news station. "If it hits us and the jail, it will cripple our criminal justice system."
There are at least 37 confirmed cases in Ohio, 11 of which were reported in Cuyahoga County.
"If this virus hits, we'd have to release people on an emergency basis," Sheehan said. "That could be even worse."
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