RivCo Prepared for 330 Early-Release Inmates

RIVERSIDE COUNTY – Some 330 California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) inmates are scheduled for early release to the county as part of California’s plan to slow the spread of COVID-19 in state prisons,

The Riverside County Probation Department is prepared to supervise  the Department announced Friday.

These individuals will report to their local probation office where probation officers will initiate supervision, begin building a case plan and arrange housing if needed. The department will also work with partner agencies and community-based organizations to provide health, employment and other services to facilitate a smooth re-entry and reinforce public safety.

“Our department is ready to manage the influx of new clients,” Riverside County Chief Probation Officer Ronald L. Miller said in a prepared statement. “Most of these individuals were already scheduled to return to the county over the next few months.  We are simply receiving them in a short period instead of staggered over time.”

Approximately 300 of the inmates granted early release have 180 days or less left on their sentences, are not currently serving time for domestic violence or a violent crime, have no current or prior sentences that require them to register as a sex offender and have an assessment score that indicates a low risk for violence.

The remaining individuals have 365 days or less to serve on their sentences, meet the same crime and risk criteria and reside within identified institutions that house large populations of high-risk patients.

Members of both groups must test negative for COVID-19 prior to their release.

As of July 28, there were 1,465 inmates actively fighting COVID-19 and 47 inmate deaths reported by CDCR. Overall, the agency has reported 7,739 inmate cases and 1,665 employee cases.