Officials taking closer look at Westmoreland inmates' medical conditions for possible release

Westmoreland court officials plan to meet Monday to go through a list of about 70 jail inmates who have diagnosed medical conditions that could make them susceptible to the coronavirus.

But it’s unclear how many will be eligible for release.

“The medical condition is only one factor,” District Attorney John Peck said.

Prosecutors will be looking at the seriousness of the inmate’s charges, prior record, threat to the community and how any victims feel about a potential release.

“In this list, those factors are present,” he said.

The population at the Westmoreland County Prison has dropped 24% since March 1. Some inmates have been successful in bids to be released as they try to protect themselves should the coronavirus get inside the jail. Others have been released to substance abuse rehabilitation centers or had bench warrants lifted, Warden John Walton said.

He provided the list of names to the courts Friday after the inmates were identified this week. The Hempfield jail population March 1 was 613 inmates. On Friday, 465 people were housed there. Walton said a few of the inmates who were on the list have already been released.

“It’s basically in the court’s hands,” he said.

It was unclear how many inmates have been released as a result of requests by attorneys since the coronavirus pandemic started. No cases have been reported at the jail. Defense attorneys have been looking through their caseloads for any defendants who might be eligible for release.

County criminal court judges have been hearing requests on a rotating basis. They are looking at an inmate’s age, any medical condition, level of offense and other factors in deciding whether to release an inmate.

The jail has eliminated in-person visitation and employees’ temperatures are being checked daily. Video visitation and phone calls are still permitted. They aren’t accepting inmate transfers from other counties until later this month. Court hearings largely are being rescheduled.

Visits to the Allegheny County Jail have been restricted since early last month. From March 16 through mid-week, officials had released 979 inmates from the Pittsburgh jail in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The first positive covid-19 case at the Uptown jail was reported April 8. Three more inmates and one guard have since tested positive, with eight tests pending, according to Allegheny County.