BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County District Attorney's Office announced three individuals have been released as part of an initiative to stop the spread of COVID-19 in county jails.
The initiative allows the district attorney's office to review cases of individuals convicted of low-level non-violent offenses who have 45 days or less remaining on their local jail sentence and aims to reduce the inmate population and slow the spread of COVID-19.
The Erie County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday 27 inmates at the Erie County Correctional Facility were positive for COVID-19.
The district attorney's office says two of the individuals will be released from the county correctional facility and the other will be released from the county holding center.
“In recent weeks, we have seen how the positivity rate can quickly increase throughout a community. This virus has the potential to spread rapidly through a jail population. In the interest of justice and public health, I consented to the early release of these individuals to allow them to serve the remainder of their sentence at home,” said Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn.
Officials say between April 7, 2020 and May 5, 2020the initiative to allowed the early release of 24 individuals who had 45 days or less remaining on their local jail sentences.
