Nearly 200 Allegheny County Jail inmates set for release amid coronavirus concerns

Nearly 200 Allegheny County Jail inmates have been or are slated to be released in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Staff from across the court system are working to identify inmates who are appropriate to release, and 189 have been identified thus far, according to a press release from Allegheny County officials.

County spokeswoman Amie Downs said the releases aren’t limited to inmates with health problems, though they’re being prioritized.

The cases are being reviewed in daily motions court or with the judge assigned to the case, she said.

The release procedure, she said, is the same as it always is: Inmates have access to a free phone call, free bus ticket, free overdose-reversing Narcan and other information about community resources.

Downs said the process is ongoing and includes not just the jail and public defender’s office, but also the District Attorney’s Office, the probation office, pretrial services and private attorneys.

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