Los Angeles County officials are taking steps to reduce inmate populations in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in local jails.
District Attorney Jackie Lacey is recommending that medically vulnerable individuals be released while awaiting a court date. Her office is also temporarily halting the filing of new cases for misdemeanors and low-level felonies.
Lacey's office is working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to review a list of 2,000 inmates who have been flagged for potential early release.
“If you release some of the people... should there be an infection in the jail, you’ll be able to isolate those who are infected,” she said.
Inmates charged with violent crimes, including child abuse and domestic violence, will not be considered for release.
“We’ll be looking at auto burglaries, vandalism cases, things of that nature where we think those folks could be released without there being much harm to the community,” she said.
No cases will be dismissed, but some will be adjudicated or postponed.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
SOME STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT COVID-19
We're all living through this extraordinary and frightening pandemic. The vast majority of our newsroom has been working from home (here's some advice on that) since March 11 to bring you calm, helpful reporting. We are answering your questions and taking more.
We're here to help. And if you can help support that effort financially, we'd be grateful.
