CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is asking judges statewide to consider the release of more than 160 inmates to decrease the jail population during the public health emergency.
Gov. DeWine highlighted 167 inmates, classified by two groups, out of the 49,000 prisoners in the state jail population.
The first group consists of 141 non-violent inmates with a release date on or before July 13.
Governor Mike DeWine✔@GovMikeDeWine
•sex offenses,
•homicide-related offenses,
•kidnapping,
•abduction,
•ethnic intimidation,
•making terroristic threats, and
•domestic violence.
Governor Mike DeWine✔@GovMikeDeWine
We also screened out those who:
•Have been denied judicial release in the past.
•Have prior incarcerations in Ohio
•Are inter-state offenders,
•Have warrants or detainers, and
•Those who have serious prison rule violations in the last 5 years.
Governor Mike DeWine✔@GovMikeDeWine
To be clear, we’re not asking that everyone who is scheduled to be released within 90 days be released early. We narrowed down the list by first looking at those who are set to be released within 90 days and then eliminated those convicted of serious charges such as:
Governor Mike DeWine✔@GovMikeDeWine
•sex offenses,
•homicide-related offenses,
•kidnapping,
•abduction,
•ethnic intimidation,
•making terroristic threats, and
•domestic violence.
A review of each inmate much be conducted by the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee before the eligible inmates can be released.
Governor Mike DeWine✔@GovMikeDeWine
That left us with 141 inmates who qualify for emergency release under Ohio’s Overcrowding Emergency statute and have a release date on or before July 13, 2020.
Governor Mike DeWine✔@GovMikeDeWine
The second group consists of 26 non-violent inmates who are 60 years old older and have chronic health conditions
To expedite the release process for the 26 inmates, the Governor is requesting that the Ohio law requiring prosecutors, judges, and victims of a crime to be given 60-day notice of a suspect’s release be waived so cases can be taken directly to the state’s parole board.
The parole board could also make a recommendation in each case involving the 26 inmates before they are released.
Governor Mike DeWine✔@GovMikeDeWine
In these 26 cases, it is a statutory requirement that the parole board to consider and make a recommendation on each of these cases. In those cases where there are specific victims, those victims will receive notice and have the opportunity for their voices to be heard.
Governor Mike DeWine✔@GovMikeDeWine
After the parole board makes a recommendation on these 26 cases, I’ll act quickly to make my decision in respect to each case.
Releasing low-risk inmates would free up space in the state prison facilities and keep more individuals from being exposed to COVID-19 in confirmed areas, Gov. DeWine said.
Governor Mike DeWine✔@GovMikeDeWine
If the parole board recommends that a sentence be commuted, they can also recommend additional conditions on the release of the inmate. As governor, I can accept and/or add conditions. If the conditions are violated, they’ll serve their remaining sentence.
Governor Mike DeWine✔@GovMikeDeWine
Overall, these are all tough decisions. We are trying to take a measured and reasonable approach that protects the public and tries to minimize the spread.
As of Monday afternoon, Gov. DeWine said 10 state inmates and 27 prison staff members tested positive for the coronavirus.
DeWine’s latest recommendation comes less than a week after the Governor suggested the release of more than three dozen other inmates. including 23 women who are pregnant or have children in prison.
