Mass. High Court Considers Releasing Some Prisoners To Prevent COVID-19 Outbreak

April 1, 2020
WBUR
By Deb Becker

Should Massachusetts release some prisoners to stem the spread of COVID-19 in jails and prisons?

That question is now before the state’s highest court. And it’s a question that’s highlighting some deep divisions — even among state law enforcement agencies.

The state Supreme Judicial Court held a telephone hearing Tuesday on an emergency petition asking that some categories of prisoners be reviewed for potential release. The petition argues that releasing some of the more than 16,000 people incarcerated in the state will help keep people separated in jails and prisons and could prevent a COVID-19 outbreak.