Gov. Abbott seeks to block Harris County effort to release inmates to slow coronavirus spread

[Elderberry]

Houston Chronicle  by Gabrielle Banks March 29, 2020

COVID-19 breached the walls of the massive Harris County Jail Sunday as local officials continued to squabble over terms of a plan to release inmates to combat spread of coronavirus.

Then Gov. Greg Abbott acted to scuttle the entire effort with an order suspending portions of state law. He forbade the release of violent jail or prison inmates — an action that had no one had proposed — saying it would endanger public safety.

“Releasing dangerous criminals from jails into the streets is not the right solution and doing so is now prohibited by law by this declaration,” Abbott said at a Sunday afternoon briefing, hours after officials announced that a 39-year-old man had tested positive for the coronavirus. The order said such a release “would also hinder efforts to cope with the COVID-19 disaster.”

The newly appointed monitor over Harris County’s misdemeanor bail protocol, Duke law professor Brandon Garrett, said the decree violated “many state and federal constitutional provisions.”

More: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Gov-Abbott-says-no-dangerous-inmates-may-be-15165001.php

[IsailedawayfromFR]

The Governor calls the shots here, not the County

[libertybele]

The Governor calls the shots here, not the County

I am hoping that more governors do the same -- releasing felons is absolutely wrong!  What the heck was Barr thinking?  What exactly has he done that's been a positive for this country and for the Trump administration??

[Cyber Liberty]

The Governor calls the shots here, not the County

FTA:

Then Gov. Greg Abbott acted to scuttle the entire effort with an order suspending portions of state law. He forbade the release of violent jail or prison inmates — an action that had no one had proposed — saying it would endanger public safety.

Nor the Chronicle.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

FTA:

Nor the Chronicle.

not proposed?

Here's another article which differs

Abbott said at a news conference Sunday that “releasing dangerous criminals makes the state even less safe ... and slows our ability to respond to the disaster caused by COVID-19.” The announcement comes as Harris County officials are working to release hundreds of inmates because of concerns about the virus in the county’s jail — efforts that have drawn opposition from state leaders.

https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/29/texas-governor-bans-release-without-bail-some-inmates-amid-coronavirus/

The Chronicle is a liberal rag.