It's Looking Like Chicago's Decision to Release Inmates Wasn't Very Wise
Beth Baumann
Posted: Apr 08, 2020 11:55 PM
On March 20th, a number of inmates were released from the Cook County Jail in Illinois, which is home to Chicago. Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli spent more than a week working with State Attorney Kim Foxx and Sheriff Tom Dart to determine which inmates should be released because they were considered high risk for contracting the Wuhan coronavirus.
In order to qualify for release, the 100 detainees had to be serving for nonviolent offenses, deemed elderly, pregnant or had serious underlining health issues. Campanelli then worked to make sure those individuals were released into Chicago and its suburbs.
Although Campanelli was only able to get 100 inmates released, she was working to make mass release a reality. She wanted those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, nonviolent offenders and those who couldn't afford bail to be released.
“I am absolutely happy that we have gotten some people out. We have to put our heads together and really delve into this on a much bigger scale," she told the Chicago Tribune at the time. “Bold, forceful action is a necessity here in Cook County, not only for the health and well-being of all those confined in the Jail but also for the safety of the larger community."
more
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2020/04/08/chicago-decided-to-release-prisoners-during-the-wuhan-coronavirus-and-now-its-pr-n2566614
