PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - Pennsylvania prisons have started released inmates to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The first eight inmates were released Wednesday.
Corrections Secretary John Wetzel says they've locked down inmates in Montgomery County where the first 17 positive cases were reported.
"You can get away with that for a couple weeks and then at some point you just can't keep people locked down you know 24/7 or even 23/1," said Wetzel.
Wetzel says local judges and prosecutors are consulted before any inmate is released under the temporary reprieve program.
Each reprieve signed by Gov. Wolf reads, "If at any time the subject of this reprieve violates the supervision requirements imposed by the Department, this reprieve is revoked and the individual shall be returned immediately to the physical custody of the Department of Corrections."
None of inmates released are in the Southwestern part of Pennsylvania.
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