ABA Policy
ABA policy favors early release of prisoners in exceptional circumstances, which are defined to include serious illness. When prisoners are released, corrections facilities should make reasonable efforts to ensure a smooth transition of health care services and help prisoners to apply for appropriate healthcare benefits. (ABA Criminal Justice Standards on the Treatment of Prisoners - Standard 23-8.9).
News
Many jurisdictions are seeing an expanded push to release those most vulnerable to COVID-19. Here are a selection of NEWS REPORTS:
- Opinion: Consider early release to limit virus spread
- Amid coronavirus fears, public defenders petition judges to order release of high-risk inmates; sheriff join in call for more releases
News is updated regularly on the ABA SCLAID indigent defense news website.
Webinar and Materials
ABA SCLAID, together with the ABA Section on Civil Rights Social Justice and ABA Criminal Justice Section hosted a WEBINAR on the Compassionate Release of Older, Infirm and At-Risk Prisoners. The webinar is now available for replay. Additionally, the page for the webinar contains a summary of the webinar and documents relevant to seeking the release of low-level offenders.