The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office won’t opposed the release of nonviolent inmates deemed to be at high risk of contracting the coronavirus from the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, a spokesman for the office said .
Mike Manko, spokesman for District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., said his office is working to identify high-risk inmates represented by public defenders “to determine if they can be released.”
“We will also welcome any discussions from private attorneys who represent inmates they believe to be high risk,” Manko said.
County officials said the jail deals yearly with the flu, and “the facility has been able to curb these conditions.”
Jail staffers have regularly scheduled cleaning sessions, and visitors have been barred for now.
“With the exception of the temporary suspension of social and professional visits, inmates have had little change to their daily routines,” county spokeswoman Amie Downs said in a statement. She said there are no restrictions on out-of-cell time.
Because visits have been restricted, inmates have two free phone calls a week.
That announcement by the District Attorney’s Office came the same day as the court system in Allegheny County declared a judicial emergency, allowing most court proceedings to be postponed.
In criminal court, bail and motions hearings will be held as normal, as will protection-from-abuse matters. Summary and statutory appeals, plus pretrial conferences and formal arraignments, will be postponed. Those facing bench warrants can still turn themselves in to Pretrial Services, according to the court order.
In the lower courts, all district court cases are postponed, as are all eviction orders.
Only eight district court locations will be open, and they will cover cases that would normally go to other nearby courts.
For a full list of what cases will be heard where, see the District Attorney’s Office list.
The office also offered resources for anyone who has to self-quarantine or isolate at home and feels as though it is unsafe for them or their children:
• Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
24 Hour Hotline: (877) 338-8255, wcspittsburgh.org
• Crisis Center North
24 Hour CCN Hotline: (412) 364-5556 | 24-Hour Toll-Free Hotline: (866) 782-0911
• Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center (Tarentum)
24 Hour Hotline: (724) 224-1266 | 24-Hour Toll-Free Hotline: (888) 299-4673
• Center for Victims
24 Hour Toll Free Hotline: (888) 644-2882
