250 Prisoners Released From Bucks Co. Jails Due To Coronavirus

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Bucks County has released nearly 30 percent of its prison population in the past month in an effort to ensure the health and safety of inmates and employees during the coronavirus crisis, officials said.

The Bucks County District Attorney's office said Wednesday the prisoners were released "in a cooperative effort to manage the spread of COVID-19." As of Wednesday, nine inmates and 11 Department of Corrections employees have tested positive for the virus. All are isolated and experiencing mild symptoms, county spokesman Larry King said.

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Officials said "a number" of inmates have been identified and screened for early release or supervision in place of total confinement. "As a result of this undertaking, the population of the Bucks County Correctional Facility has been reduced by about 30 percent since the start of this crisis," the District Attorney's office said in a news release Wednesday.

King said as of midnight, the county's prison population was down to 534 at the Bucks County Correctional Facility, and 125 at the Community Corrections Centers, for a total of 659.

On March 11, there were a total of 909 prisoners, including 711 at the Bucks County Correctional Facility and 198 at the Community Corrections Centers, he said.

It was at that time that officials — including county judges, the District Attorney, and public defenders — began assessing the population to see who could be released early, be placed on home monitoring, or have their bail reduced.

The reduction in inmate population is aimed to free up more space to isolate anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 or who has symptoms, King explained.

At a later date, some inmates may be returned to prison to serve the remainder of their sentences, the District Attorney’s Office said in its statement.

Among the factors considered were the crimes committed, the prisoner's health condition, the length of time until release, and whether they were suitable for home supervision, King said.

"Largely we're seeing non-violent offenders being released, whether through an early guilty plea with a time-served sentence or reduced bail," said District Attorney spokesman James O'Malley.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office had "considerable input" throughout the process of releasing county inmates, though some were released or placed on house arrest despite their objections.

“Despite some prisoners being released over our objections, we continue to work with the prison to strike a balance between public safety and the safety of those working in the jail, versus the jail’s ability to safely manage both the sick and healthy jail populations during this COVID pandemic," Bucks County District Attorney Matthew D. Weintraub said.

Additionally, the District Attorney’s Office received a list of 22 inmates in the state prison system whose cases originated in Bucks County and are being considered for release.

"We have raised objections to the release of the vast majority, agreeing preliminarily to the release of four of those prisoners. Each of these four were within 90 days of their minimum sentences, and had not committed crimes of violence or against any victim," the DA said in the statement.

Officials in that office said as of Wednesday "is not yet known to our office if any of these inmates have been released."

Any state inmates who are released will not be transferred to the county prison, nor will county resources be used to supervise them, the DA's office said.

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