18 Miami-Dade Inmates Get Out Of Jail Early Amid Coronavirus

MIAMI, FL — Eighteen Miami-Dade County inmates who were scheduled to be released in the next two months have gotten out of jail early as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

“We and our partners recognize that we need to reduce the number of people held in our local jails to reduce the chances that COVID-19 could spread among the officers, staff, and inmates,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in announcing the early release.

She said the action frees up space to house the "most dangerous and violent offenders" who may be accused of committing violent crimes during the pandemic.

"As a result, releasing inmates shortly before their jail sentences end will not only promote the health of our community by minimizing the likelihood of an outbreak in our jails, but protect the safety and health of our entire community," Fernandez Rundle said.

The measure was a collaborative effort among the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office , Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office, administrative Judge of the criminal courts for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida and the Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department.

"We have reviewed the cases involving each of the inmates being released and believe that releasing these individuals a short time earlier than originally planned will not undermine the safety of Miami-Dade County residents," Fernandez Rundle said.

All of the released inmates who are required to also serve a term of community supervision after being released, were ordered to report to the Florida Department of Probation within one day of their release.

"The COVID-19 virus has created some very trying times. I am determined to protect our entire community and want to assure everyone that your police officers and your prosecutors are unwavering in their commitment to ensure that violent criminals do not feel free to prey on others," Fernandez Rundle added.