More than 600 inmates released from Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh to slow pandemic

Officials have released 622 inmates from Allegheny County Jail over the last two weeks in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus by reducing crowding in the jail, according to Allegheny County.

That’s more than triple the 189 inmates that were slated for release March 19, and roughly one quarter of the jail’s inmate population prior to their release. There were 1,816 people who remained incarcerated in the jail as of Tuesday, according to the county.

The decisions on who to release are made by numerous members of the criminal justice system, including judges, public defenders, the District Attorney’s Office, probation officials, jail officials and others, according to the county.

These groups have been working since March 16 to identify inmates who can be safely released.

District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. announced March 17 that his office would not oppose the release of non-violent offenders deemed to have a high risk of contracting the virus.

Inmates with health problems are prioritized, but are not the only ones eligible for release, according to the county.

The release procedure is handled as normal. Inmates are given a free phone call, bus ticket and overdose-reversing Narcan and information about community resources.