Some GA Inmates Will Be Released Early Due To The Coronavirus

GEORGIA — Georgia is considering releasing some inmates early over the next month as a way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The state Board of Pardons and Paroles said Tuesday that it’s reviewing potential clemency releases for nonviolent offenders.

It would be for those currently serving for a non-violent offense(s) who are within 180 days of completing their prison sentence.

“The State Board of Pardons and Paroles understands the concerns and fully supports our state’s efforts to combat COVID-19, including safety protocols implemented by the Department of Corrections,” said Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard in a statement.

“The Parole Board is operating normally and will continue to use its constitutional authority to make clemency release decisions in the interest of public safety.”

They would be released to community supervision, the board said.

The decision to consider the early release came after the civil rights nonprofit, Southern Center for Human Rights, sent a letter recommending it, according to the Georgia Sun.

They’re asking the state to release the following:

• People in Georgia’s transitional centers, including those over age 60
• People who have finished most of the program’s conditions
• People suffering from underlying health problems

In Lee State Prison in Georgia, there’s already been one inmate death and a total of 12 inmates and staff testing positive for the coronavirus. Twenty-three people have tested positive for COVID-19 at Georgia Department of Corrections Facilities.

The ACLU of Georgia supports the board’s decision, but wants to see members take it a step further. The nonprofit’s executive director Andrea Young tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that those who “don’t pose a threat to the community,” should also be released.

She also said other officials should follow their example.

“Local officials should release persons being held awaiting trial, simply because they are unable to afford bail,” Young said.

New numbers released at noon Wednesday show that 31 more people have died of coronavirus in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Public Health said. The updated tally reflects an increase of more than 800 cases since noon on Tuesday, bringing the total to 4,638, and 31 additional deaths, bringing the total to 139. There are currently 952 people hospitalized from the new coronavirus.

More than 962,000 COVID-19 cases are confirmed worldwide and more than 49,000 people have died, Johns Hopkins reported Thursday. The U.S. has over 216,000 cases, the most of any country as of Thursday.