KEY POINTS

  • New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed that 23 more inmates will be released to prevent the spread of COVID-19 inside the city's prison
  • Officials will also review the cases of 200 more people who are deemed "vulnerable to COVID-19" to determine if they are eligible to be set free
  • NYC released 40 inmates in the wake of the virus spreading in the city's penal system

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in New York City jails, Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed over the weekend that officials will release 23 more inmates currently housed on Rikers Island and other penitentiaries in the city.

The Chief Executive also said in Sunday's press conference that they will review the case files of some 200 more people who are deemed “vulnerable to COVID-19” and see if they are eligible to be set free, according to the New York Post.

“We are looking at each individual case,” said de Blasio, adding that despite the process being “complex,” he and the Board of Corrections are “going to move very fast now.”

Charged Woman Is Held At Rikers Island
The 42-year-old woman who killed her mother and grandmother is currently being held at Rikers Island. In this image, a woman walks by a sign at the entrance to Rikers Island on March 31, 2017, New York City. Getty Images/Spencer Platt

The biggest bump in releasing inmates to the society will be coming from residents. The Mayor described it to be “very thorny” as New York City will need to have “relative comfort” to know that the released individuals won't be committing any “serious crimes” once they have their taste of freedom.

The city released 40 inmates Friday due to underlying health conditions and those who have low-risk of re-offending, reported the New York Times in a separate article.

The continued release of inmates came in the wake of at least 38 people in Rikers Island and nearby prisons testing positive for COVID-19.

RELATED STORIES
Coronavirus New york city