California Jail to release 8000 inmates to increase distancing amid COVID-19

Around 8,000 inmates of California Jail could be eligible for early release by the end of August under a plan that aims to increase physical distancing and slow the spread of the coronavirus illness COVID-19 in the state’s prison system.

Media reports said that Nearly 5,850 cases had been confirmed in the department as of Friday evening, with 2,319 considered active cases of people in custody.

In the last 14 days, 870 new cases recorded in California Jail, according to the department. There have been 31 deaths.

People serving sentences for violent crimes or domestic violence, and sex offenders are not eligible.

Everyone will be screened for COVID-19 within seven days of release, the department says. There are more than 110,000 inmates in the state prison system.

US Coronavirus Cases

The United States (US) recorded more than 69,000 infections on Friday setting another record for the number of Coronavirus cases in the country.

A total of eight US states — Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Ohio, Utah and Wisconsin — also reached records for single-day infections.

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In Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned on Friday he may have to impose new lockdowns if the state cannot stem its record-setting caseloads and hospitalizations through masks and social distancing.

“If we don’t adopt this best practice it could lead to a shutdown of business,” the Republican governor told.

California announced on Friday the state will release up to 8,000 inmates early from prisons to slow the spread of COVID-19 inside the facilities. At San Quentin State Prison half of the facility’s roughly 3,300 prisoners have tested positive for the virus.