New York’s public defender organizations are calling for the expedited release of approximately 400 detainees who have been cleared for release by orders of the governor’s office. One hundred eight (108) inmates – who were in jail due to parole violations – have been released as of Wednesday morning, according to NY1.

The slow rate of releases is a cause of major concern amidst the deadly COVID-19 outbreak that has already reached city jails.

“[We] are deeply frustrated and disturbed by the actual low number of releases thus far,” said Lorraine McEvilley, the director of the Parole Revocation Defense Unit at the Legal Aid Society. “DOCCS is simply not following through on its promise and this inaction could very well result in the loss of human life. Our clients and others held on these violations must be released now.”