A jail in New York state released over 50 inmates, including eight sex offenders, due to a statewide order by Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) to release prisoners who might be at risk of catching the coronavirus, according to Breitbart.
The jail in Monroe County released more than 50 prisoners, eight of whom were sex offenders, and of which three were child rapists. They were released even despite a state court determining that these individuals were likely to commit the same crimes again if they were released.
The chief of police in the city of Greece, New York, revealed that state officials never even told his office about the ordered release of the sex offenders. “I think good practice would be if you’re going to release convicted felons,” said Chief Patrick Phelan, “you might want to give law enforcement the heads-up.”
An official from the state Department of Corrections and Community Services said that “this measure will further protect a vulnerable population from contracting and transmitting this infectious disease.” The statewide initiative has ordered the release of over 1,000 prisoners across the state, including 375 prisoners that Bill de Blasio has promised to release in New York City.