Inmates to be released in Shasta County because of coronavirus pandemic
Shasta County Sheriff Eric Magrini will have to release inmates from the Shasta County Jail. The announcement came after a directive came down to reduce the population at California's prisons and jails due to the coronavirus.
Monday, Magrini will receive official orders of who to release. But, he explained Friday, those orders could lead to the release of as many as 39 inmates. Magrini made it clear while discussing the decision that this is not a move he's happy about.
"We are working with the courts, with the District Attorney and the Public Defender. Right now we have a preliminary list of 39 inmates that might be subject to release that are being forced upon us by the courts and by the state. We are working to try and mitigate that list and um make motions on those that we don't feel would be good candidates to be released. That's on top of as we know CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) the state prisons have started their early releases also so this is all going to have a significant impact on our county," Magrini explained.
Sheriff Magrini said a bill to eliminate cash bail was set to be on the ballot in November but Governor Newsom couldn't wait so he issued the executive order.
Statewide 72 people have tested positive for coronavirus at CDCR facilities. That includes staff members and inmates.
