Cessation of In-Person Reporting Requirements

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• Arizona, Coconino County (Flagstaff) : As of March 26, Coconino County Adult Probation suspended in-person reporting for all clients, except in the event of an eminent public safety risk, with approval of a super. All residential and in-person contacts can be done via technology, e.g., telephone or video conferencing. Cococino also suspended incarceration for technical violations.
• Arkansas : On March 20, 2020, the AR Division of Community Corrections Corrections suspended face to face office visits. Discretionary groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous will use non-contact alternatives such as phone, video, or online groups.
• Arkansas : “Throughout the state, the Division of Community Corrections has canceled most in-person visits involving parolees, probationers and their supervision officers [...] However, officers are still meeting in-person with some high-risk offenders and are conducting required home visits with sex offenders.”
• California : California’s Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) issued updated guidance as of March 26, which includes: “All lobby traffic will be suspended except for initial parole interviews and emergencies; Routinely scheduled, non-essential office visits shall be avoided at this time; Parolees should contact their parole agent by phone for guidance on whether to come in, Office visits for those age 65 and older and with chronic medical conditions shall be suspended immediately.”
• California, Humboldt County : “For adults and youth placed under probation supervision [the Humboldt County Probation Department is] conducting all probation contacts by telephone. ...[A]ny persons newly granted probation, persons being released from prison to county supervision, and persons posing an active risk to the community will be seen in person.”
• California, Los Angeles : Probation offices and juvenile detention facilities are closed to the public. People on probation are asked to contact their probation officer directly.
• California, Sacramento : “Authorities asked those on probation in Sacramento County to report by making a phone call to their assigned probation officer in effort to slow the coronavirus spread.” Alternatively, people on probation can call the main office line or send an email to a dedicated address. (UPDATE) As of Tuesday, March 17, the County Probation Department of Sacramento limited office visits to “mandated signatures only.” Probation officers were also encouraged to use alternative means of supervision when possible such as: telephone check-in, email, and text. Home visits are limited to contacts outside the home, with social distance, and can be substituted with phone visits.
• Colorado, Aurora: As of March 16, 2020, the Aurora Municipal Court and probation division will be closed until further notice as a response to the spreading of COVID-19.
• Connecticut: Probation offices are open the same hours as the courts, but closed for public access, including people on probation, unless otherwise authorized by a probation officer. Probation staff is conducting contact with their clients via telephone.
• Indiana, Crawford County: All contact has been suspended with probationers until further notice, with exceptions only made for individuals transferred from out of state. As of April 8, intakes have been scheduled out approximately one month.
• Louisiana: The passage of HB77 led by Representative DeVillier now permits probation and parole officers to use their cellphones and other electronic devices to hold meetings with people under supervision instead of requiring in-person reporting. The legislation also requires probation and parole officers to accommodate a person’s work schedule when scheduling those check-in meetings.
• Massachusetts: “To the extent practicable, face to face contacts will be minimized. Probation Officers will utilize telephone contact in the enforcement of court ordered conditions. This approach balances the competing demands for public safety oversight, protection for crime victims, as well as addressing health risks for Probation Service staff and individuals on probation in the Commonwealth.”
• Michigan: The MDOC has asked the Wayne County prosecutor to waive a 28-day grace period when victims and prosecutors can appeal the parole to allow 163 people who have been granted parole to be released from Wayne County. Whether the prosecutor signs off on the waiver or not, paroled individuals will be released if there is no appeal. As of May 8th, no appeals have been filed.
• Minnesota, Stearns County : The Stearns County Community Corrections department has ceased in-person meetings for people under supervision. Instead, people are reporting through phone and video calls. Chemical dependency, anger management, or domestic violence services are being conducted via telehealth. Field visits, when necessary, are conducted with physical distancing.
• Mississippi : On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, the MS Department of Corrections temporarily suspended in-person reporting for individuals on parole, probation, house arrest or under any other form of community supervision through at least April 17th. As an alternative, people on supervision can report via email, phone or video chat during the weekdays.
• Mississippi: As reported on April 21, MS DOC implemented telephone or technology-based reporting for all individuals under community supervision until further notice. Offices have been set up as call centers, meaning the individual who answered the phone took the report, not the supervising agents. Assigned report days were waived and office hours were extended to cover the calls. Individuals can call in Mon-Fri between 0700 and 1800. When necessary, in-person meetings to install monitoring equipment are conducted using PPE for both staff and the individual on supervision. Home visit and residence investigations are conducted via no contact using google earth to verify the residence, phone calls and drive by (when needed).
• Montana: By order of Governor Steve Bullock on April 1, 2020, the Montana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Division is to “reduce in-person contact to only those instances where public safety requires it and conduct other routine contacts via telephone or other means...Where public safety requires physical contact with an individual on community supervision, DOC staff shall practice social distancing and hygiene, and use adequate PPE to the extent possible.” Pre-sentence investigations and risk and needs assessments are to be conducted telephonically.
• Nevada: As of March 23, the Nevada Division of Parole and Probation, ceased in-person check-ins for people under supervision. The state’s supervision officers are still conducting home visits.
• New York State: As of Friday, March 20, the state’s Corrections Department said it will suspend all in-person parole visits to curb the spread of coronavirus. Instead, the state will use telephone calls, text messages and video calls to maintain contact. “Cases that are designated as higher-risk, as well as other specialized caseloads (like) electronic monitored, mental health and individuals convicted of sexual offense...may continue to maintain in-person, field contact, using appropriate social distancing measures, where appropriate"
• New York, Columbia County: As of March 26, Columbia County Probation suspended in-person contacts and home visits for all clients. Officers are also working remotely from home and all contacts are being made by phone and/or electronic means (e.g., email, smartphone app check in/messaging).
• New York, Jefferson County: People on probation are asked to contact the county probation office for instructions. The county expects to conduct probation monitoring going forward through a combination of in-person visits and tele-conferences.
• New York, Oneida County: Individuals on probation are encouraged to stay at home and nearly all probation check ins are conducted via phone. For individuals who do not have a capable working phone, are permitted to visit the office but at a distance. Mandatory home visits are still being conducted by probation officers, but while following social distancing guidelines.
• New York, Westchester County: Westchester County Probation is using technology such as Facetime and phone calls to maintain contact with people under their supervision. All probation officers are working remotely with access to laptops and Zoom.
• North Dakota: In a policy dated March 17, 2020, ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation suspended supervision policies including standards around intakes, case plans and contacts. For Medium, Minimum and Diversion status individuals, contacts are made via telephone calls, texting, and FaceTime. For Maximum cases and cases that are in a state of high need or violation, and warrant a face-to-face contact, ND DCR have implemented curbside contact protocols that maintain appropriate physical distance.
• Ohio, Marion: The municipal probation department and court is closed to the public in person but is open normal business hours by phone with a deeply reduced staff. All probation officers are working from home. Individuals on probation are checking in by phone or reporting remotely through other means of technology. Drug testing is suspended until further notice.
• Ohio, Scioto County: Launched on March 1, a new computer system called OCSS (Ohio Community Supervision System) allows people on probation to self-report, video chat, and text. Probation officers and counselors are using this program to communicate with drug court participants, in lieu of in-person meetings.
• Pennsylvania, Allegheny County: As reported on April 21, all people supervised by Allegheny County Adult Probation and Parole are reporting via phone contacts only. Contact requirements are based on risk level (monthly, bi-weekly, weekly or daily). All court proceedings have been postponed until a later date, with the exception of Gagnon 1 jail hearings (establishing probable cause for a violation of probation), which are conducted via video conferencing.
• Pennsylvania, Somerset County: Somerset County Probation has been meeting with people under supervision via Zoom and phone during the pandemic. Home visits, when needed, are conducted outside of the home, while wearing masks.
• Rhode Island: On March 18, 2020, RI Department of Corrections announced that probation and parole offices would not hold in person check-ins. Individual probation and parole officers gave instructions with probationers and parolees regarding maintaining appropriate remote communication.
• Texas, Amarillo: The Community Supervision and Corrections Department for Potter, Randall, and Armstrong counties has ceased all face-to-face meetings with community supervision clients. People under supervision are reporting by phone, counseling sessions are being conducted via Zoom, and individuals deemed in need of drug testing due to high-risk status are being tested via patches.
• Washington State: “For low-risk individuals, or when medically necessary, and where possible, Community Corrections Officers (CCOs) have discretion to use regular telephonic and/or FaceTime contacts at least monthly. Field contacts will only be conducted for a specified list of high-risk individuals within designated supervision categories and for investigations. All other field work will be suspended during this time.”
• Wyoming: As reported on April 21, the Wyoming Department of Corrections, Field Service Division has limited in-person reporting for all or a portion of its clients.
• Guam: The Guam Department of Corrections Parole Services Division has contacted individuals on parole in their department to inform them that they no longer need to report in-person and call to check in instead. Those without any available phones were provided check in forms in a secure area to fill out and submit in a drop box. Other individuals on parole required to report in person weekly had their conditions modified and are now calling in weekly to report until further notice. Incarcerated persons who have to serve parole supervision upon their full term release are being processed within the prison prior to their release date.

Limiting technical violations and jail incarceration

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• Alabama: On April 2, Governor Ivey issued an executive order to release some people who allegedly violated the terms of their probation or parole from jails who have been in custody for more than 20 days and have yet to have a hearing about the alleged violation. The order does not apply to individuals who are currently held on new charges or other criminal charges.

• Arizona, Coconino County (Flagstaff): Cococino County Adult Probation suspended incarceration for technical violations. See above for changes to reporting requirements.

• California, Humboldt County: The Humboldt County Probation Department is “filing violations of probation for new criminal allegations and absconding from supervision but limiting technical violations to those that pose a public safety risk.”

• California, Sacramento: As of Tuesday, March 17, the County Probation Department of Sacramento suspended flash incarcerations, violations of probation, and operation plans relative to searches and arrests, except in cases of public safety concerns, with prior approval of an Assistant Chief Deputy or Chief Deputy.

• Delaware: As reported on May 6, Delaware (which has a combined jail and prison system) reported a 33 percent decrease in the number of people incarcerated in work release programs or for violations of probation.

• District of Columbia: New guidelines from the U.S. Parole commission (which has jurisdiction over supervised release and parole in the District) recommend against issuing warrants for alleged technical violations of parole unless the client is in “loss of contact status.” The commission will also recommend against revoking a person's parole based on a new arrest in circumstances where the parolee was not charged by prosecutors, and will wait to initiate a parole revocation until pending criminal charges are resolved. For people who are incarcerated for minor crimes or because of technical violations the guidelines also outline that the commission will “consider releasing the prisoner and suspending or terminating the revocation proceeding.” (UPDATE) Since March 19, 2020, the USPC has released half of the people incarcerated at the District of Columbia’s Central Detention Facility and Correctional Treatment Facility.

• Hawaii: In an order dated March 26, the Hawaii Supreme Court ordered “Release, with or without conditions, all individuals who were sentenced to probation (including those in the HOPE48 probation program) and are incarcerated solely for a technical violation of the probation rules” and “individuals who are incarcerated as a result of a finding of a violation of parole that does not include the allegation of a new criminal offense” who are serving a sentence of a year or more. The order also instructs courts “to consider the serious health risk posed by detention to the defendant, other incarcerated individuals, and the community in bail determination hearings, probation and parole revocation hearings, and sentencing.”

• Idaho: On March 23, Governor Brad Little suspended 125 administrative rules - one of which outlines the matrix probation and parole officers use as a guide when deciding how to respond to people under supervision, providing more flexibility. IDOC probation and parole officers have been directed “to use their discretion and arrest people only when they pose a threat to public safety.”

• Indiana: On April 3, representatives from all three branches of Indiana state government signed a letter to encourage local jurisdictions to evaluate which individuals may be safely released from jails to the community under pretrial, probation and community corrections supervision. Counties across the state have already seen reductions in the number of people incarcerated in local jails.

• Louisiana: On Tuesday, April 21, Chief Justice Bernette Johnson of the Supreme Court of Louisiana recommended that judges “work with probation officers to avoid extending or revoking probation for unpaid fines and fees or other technical violations.”

• Louisiana, New Orleans: District Court judges issued orders on March 26, calling for the immediate release of people held in the New Orleans jail who were awaiting trial for misdemeanors, arrested for failure to appear at probation status hearings, detained in contempt of court, or detained for failing a drug test while on bond.

• Minnesota, Stearns County: Stearns County Community Corrections department has limited use of jail as a sanction for technical violations. Instead, “sanctions may require an at-home alcohol monitor or attendance at more meetings.”

• Montana: The Montana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Division has suspended incarceration for technical violations.

• Nevada, Las Vegas: On April 17, Las Vegas police and sheriff announced that up to 290 people will be released from the Clark County Detention Center, which is about 10% of that facility’s population. Those eligible for release include people held on technical violations of parole or probation, people sentenced for nonviolent misdemeanor charges who have served at least 75% of their sentence, and people deemed medically vulnerable because of underlying health conditions.

• New Jersey - (UPDATE, 3/24) It has been reported that 809 people are eligible for release under this court order. Prosecutors are challenging the release of 312 people, but the remaining 497 people face no challenge to their release.

• New York State: On Friday, March 27, 2020, Governor Cuomo ordered the release of 1,100 people held in county jails across the state, who were accused of “non serious” violations of their parole conditions. “Following an individualized review, the Department began canceling any warrant where the individual has identified adequate housing is available and the release of the individual does not present an undue risk to public safety,” the agency said in a statement. (UPDATE) On Monday, April 13, 2020, a Bronx judge approved the release of 51 additional people in New York City jails who were incarcerated for alleged parole violations, in response to filings by the Legal Aid Society.

• Ohio, Franklin County: As of April 14th, the Franklin County Jail population in Ohio has decreased by more than 30% over the course of 30 days. One of the categories of people reviewed for release were people incarcerated for technical probation and parole violations. Release of these individuals was done in conjunction with municipal and common pleas probation and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Adult Parole Authority.

• Oregon, Multnomah and Tillamook Counties: Sheriffs in Multnomah (Portland) and Tillamook counties reported they are working with prosecutors and parole officials to release people from their jails.

• Oregon, Multnomah County: “Parole/Probation officers will continue to check-in and respond to public safety concerns for individuals on supervision. However, those who violate their probation — but don't commit a new crime — will not be sanctioned to jail, unless there is a public safety risk.”

• Pennsylvania, Allegheny County: Allegheny County Adult Probation and Parole has lifted detainers for all people incarcerated for technical violations and non-violent pending charges. Exceptions include people convicted of sex offenses and domestic violence cases with multiple victim violations. Additionally, many warrants that had been issued for technical violations have been cleared.

• Pennsylvania, Philadelphia: Following an individualized judicial review conducted as part of “fast-track emergency hearings,” judges released over 200 people from Philadelphia jails. Releases included lifting probation detainers, and in at least one judges case terminated probation supervision for someone who had been incarcerated for a technical violation.

• Somerset County, ME: 52 people have been released from the county jail and are reporting to the county’s Community Corrections Program that allows for monitoring and/or home detention.

• Tennessee: Following an order from the state supreme court, judges in the 9th Judicial District reduced the combined jail population by 21% over five business days. Some of the people released from county jails had been incarcerated for probation violations.

• Utah, Salt Lake County: On March 20, the district attorney announced the planned release of 90 people from the county jail, mostly women, including people who were jailed for technical supervision violations or failure to appear.

• Virginia: The Virginia Parole Board withdrew warrants for technical violations for a number of individuals, to prevent people being arrested and jailed.

• West Virginia: In March, the WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation released 70 people who were serving short prison terms for “parole-related sanctions,” and around 70 additional people who were eligible for weekend furloughs have had their furloughs extended to two weeks.

• Wisconsin: On April 2, Wisconsin Department of Corrections announced several measures in response to the coronavirus, including releasing supervision holds for 1,148 people held in jails throughout the state, and releasing 64 individuals participating in an Alternative to Revocation (ATR) program at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (MSDF).

• Wyoming: As reported on April 21, the Wyoming Department of Corrections, Field Service Division has limited incarceration for technical violations. Because jails are not admitting people for supervision sanctions, the only incarceration is for instances of full revocation, which have dropped significantly.

• Wyoming, Fremont County: Following collaborative review by a circuit court judge, county attorney, public defender, sheriff, and their respective staffs on March 17, 30 people were released from the Fremont County jail, including people who had been jailed for probation violations.

Reducing Intake, Limiting Conditions, and Expanding Early Discharge

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• Arkansas: On March 20, 2020, the AR Division of Community Corrections Corrections suspended supervision fees for the month of April.

• California, Sacramento: As of Tuesday, March 17, the County Probation Department of Sacramento suspended urinalysis testing.

• Colorado: On March 26, the Colorado governor’s office issued an Executive Order which includes suspension of a daily subsistence payment of $17 required from community corrections clients.

• Hawaii: In an order dated March 26, the Hawaii Supreme Court ordered District, Family and Circuit Courts “to suspend all probation or pretrial conditions—including drug testing, employment requirements, and housing requirements—whose adherence would require the individual to violate the CDC’s physical distancing instructions.”

• Louisiana: On Tuesday, April 21, Chief Justice Bernette Johnson of the Supreme Court of Louisiana recommended that judges suspend court-supervised probation fines and fees. (UPDATE) On June 1, the Louisiana Senate passed HB643, which allows the parole board to reduce the level of supervision at which a person on parole is monitored, potentially reducing the cost of probation for the state and reducing the fees that would be paid by the person on probation. The bill also allows the parole board to reconsider the term of supervision for people convicted of nonviolent offenses after three years, and after seven years for people convicted of violent offenses. The bill awaits signature by the governor.

• Montana: As reported on April 21, the Montana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Division is expanding early release from supervision for certain individuals.

• New York State: Citing COVID-19 concerns, the NY Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has temporarily suspended all drug and alcohol testing for all people under parole supervision, until further notice.

• North Carolina: In orders issued on March 19 and April 13, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina extended deadlines for “all money owed pursuant to a judgment or order that comes due between April 6 and May 30” by 90 days, indicating that “nonpayment in those cases shall not be deemed a willful failure to comply.” The deadline is not extended for people with probation terms that end between April 3 and May 31.

• Pennsylvania, Allegheny County: As reported on April 21, Allegheny County Adult Probation and Parole has informally suspended all conditions, with the exception of restitution, in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

• Virginia: The Virginia Parole Board expedited discharge from parole supervision in response to the coronavirus, to eliminate interaction between the parole supervisor and the individual.

• Wyoming: As reported on April 21, the Wyoming Department of Corrections, Field Service Division has limited urinalysis testing. For clients considered high risk and in need of drug testing, WDOC is utilizing swabs testing. They are also conducting home visits, when needed, at curbside.

Expediting and Expanding Parole Release

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• Alabama: Following a proclamation by Governor Ivey on April 13, 2020, the AL Board of Pardon and Parole will resume parole hearings on May 19 after initially suspending them. The governor’s order lifts requirements for in-person appearances; people wishing to submit their views to the Board can do so via email, mailed written statements, or phone. The AL Board of Pardon and Parole plans to hold 161 hearings through the end of the month of May. (UPDATE) In the first hearings, held on May 19, the Board denied parole release for 20 out of 22 people considered.
• Arkansas: As of April 24, the Board of Corrections voted to invoke the expanded Emergency Powers Act which certifies a list of 1,244 incarcerated persons eligible for early release, pending parole decisions. The vote suspended a rule that required incarcerated individuals to serve six months of their sentence before being eligible for parole. All individuals under consideration for parole are serving time for convictions that are not violent or sexual in nature. They will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before release Update] “The Arkansas Board of Corrections voted to expedite parole consideration for 114 state inmates on [March 25], over concerns that an outbreak of the coronavirus would be especially harmful to crowded prisons.”
• California: On March 24, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order halting intake and transfers of people to state prisons and youth facilities for at least 30 days. The order also directs the Board of Parole Hearings to develop and implement a process for holding parole hearings via videoconference by April 13.
• California: Citing concerns over the existing COVID-19 spread across its state prisons, California announced on March 31 that it will grant early accelerated release and parole dates for 3,500 incarcerated people convicted of non-violent crimes who are already due to be released in the next 60 days. Releases will take place over the next several weeks.
• Colorado: On March 26, the Colorado governor’s office issued an Executive Order which allows the DOC to award earned timed credits to reduce the prison population; Incarcerated individuals who qualify can be referred to a “special needs parole” program.
• Connecticut: As of April 6, the Connecticut Department of Correction has granted early release for more than 700 people, prioritizing those who are medically vulnerable and over age 50.
• Georgia: The GA State Board of Pardons and Paroles began hearing cases for early clemency release the week of March 30th. The clemency release will affect individuals serving for non-violent offenses who are within 180 days of completing their sentence. The majority will be released to community supervision.
• Hawaii: In an order dated March 26, the Hawaii Supreme Court ordered release of incarcerated people to achieve no more than “design capacity” of the state’s Correctional Centers and Correctional Facilities within 10 days. (UPDATE) Hawaii released over 800 people from its prisons since March, though it is unclear how many were released as a result of the Supreme Court order. As the “Special Master” appointed by the court required cases to be considered individually, one proxy measure is the number of motions for release filed by the public defender’s office - over 500. The deadline for motions was the end of April.
• Illinois: The governor signed an executive order easing restrictions on early prison releases for “good behavior” by waiving the required 14-day notification to the State Attorney’s office. As of April 5, the Illinois Department of Corrections has released about 500 people from state prisons. The department has not disclosed the criteria used to make release decisions except that individuals’ cases were “reviewed for violent histories.” (UPDATE): Between March 11 and May 7, 2020, Governor J.B. Pritzker has commuted the sentences of 20 incarcerated people, releasing them before their projected parole dates. He also signed an order giving state prison authorities wider discretion to grant medical furloughs.
• Iowa: Since March 1st, 811 people have been released from prison, and an additional 482 people had been approved for release by the Board of Parole. An additional 90 people have been approved for future release, and the Department of Corrections has asked sheriffs to suspend admissions and revocations in order to mitigate additional exposure to COVID-19 in prisons.
• Iowa: “To mitigate a possible outbreak and create more room in Iowa’s overcrowded prisons, the Iowa Department of Corrections plans to expedite the release of about 700 [incarcerated people] who were already determined eligible for release by the Iowa Board of Parole.”
• Kentucky: On April 2, Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order to commute the sentences of 186 people convicted of felonies. The state also plans to release 743 people who were previously due to be released within the next 6 months. (UPDATE) As of May 27, 2020, Governor Andy Beshear has so far commuted 1,154 sentences. Only individuals charged with non-violent or non-sexual offenses charged with a class C or D felony and with fewer than 5 years left to serve were released in the first cohort.
• Maine: The Maine Department of Corrections has so far released 29 people to “Supervised Community Confinement,” and expects to release another 27 individuals by April 10. People released included those in a community corrections [work release] program, as well as people within 90 days of completing their sentences.
• Maryland: On April 19, Governor Hogan announced that he would expedite the release of an estimated 700 incarcerated individuals who were already due to be released within the next four months and 100 people who could receive expedited parole. The Maryland Parole Commission will also accelerate parole for incarcerated persons who are at least 60 years old that have a “record of good institutional adjustment,” have an approved home plan, and have not been convicted of a crime of violence. (UPDATE) As of April 21, 2020, more than 2,000 people have been released from Maryland prisons over the previous five weeks. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services stated: “These releases were achieved by leveraging the acceleration and expansion of placements onto pretrial supervision; release during booking and pre-trial commitment; mandatory release of sentenced incarcerated persons; and accelerated processing of releases through the Parole Commission and Home Detention placement.”
• Massachusetts: Following an April 3 ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 13 people have been released and 58 people have been paroled from state prisons, as of April 14. In addition, 23 requests for medical parole were approved.
• Michigan: The Michigan Department of Corrections has released approximately 200 people per week from state prisons. The MDOC reports that it is looking to first release parole-eligible people who are convicted of nonviolent offenses, “who are older than 60 with health issues, though no offenses are off-limits.” There are roughly 5000 people currently eligible for parole in Michigan, about 13% of the state prison population. (UPDATE) The Michigan Parole Board will resume public hearings in June remotely. The parole board initially suspended public hearings in mid-March following reported coronavirus cases in MI. The executive clemency (for pardons and commutations) process will also be able to resume, since that relies on recommendations from the Parole Board. [UPDATE] The MDOC has asked the Wayne County prosecutor to waive a 28-day grace period when victims and prosecutors can appeal the parole to allow 163 people who have been granted parole to be released from Wayne County. Whether the prosecutor signs off on the waiver or not, paroled individuals will be released if there is no appeal. As of May 8th, no appeals have been filed. (UPDATE) As of June 9, Michigan’s prison population has dropped 5.2%. Michigan DOC legislative liaison Kyle Kaminksi reports the decrease in the number of prisoners is due the following three factors: 1.) accelerated parole reviews, 2.) a sharp decline in prisoner intake from county jails and courts, and 3.) fewer people on parole being returned to prison for technical violations.
• Montana: By executive order from Governor Steve Bullock on April 1, 2020, the Montana Department of Corrections is to assist the Board of Pardons and Paroles in considering early release for all people in the following categories, so long as they do not pose a public safety risk and can adequately have their medical and supervision needs met in the community: (1) persons aged 65 or older; (2) persons who are pregnant; (3) persons who are near their release date; and (4) persons with medical conditions that place them at high risk during this pandemic or who are otherwise medically frail.
• Nevada: On May 21, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed an emergency directive permitting the Board of Parole Commissioners to conduct virtual parole hearings for all people who are eligible. Hearings had previously been cancelled, beginning 3/23 and continuing through the month of April. Parole hearings are open to victims and representatives for incarcerated people through video conference or telephone access, and an electronic copy of the proceeding will be available to the public upon request. Proceedings can be postponed until in-person hearings can resume if requested by an eligible inmate or the Board of Parole Commissioners.
• New Jersey: On Friday, April 10, 2020, NJ Governor Phil Murphy issued an executive order establishing a process for people to be released to temporary home confinement. Four categories of people to be given priority review include: (1) Individuals aged 60 years or older; (2) Individuals with high risk medical conditions, as determined by DOC in consultation with the Department of Health; (3) Individuals whose sentences expire within the next three months; and (4) Individuals who were denied parole within the last year. Separate from the home confinement eligibility review, the State Parole Board is to expedite consideration for any parole-eligible individual on the priority review lists, even if the individual had been previously denied parole within the last year.(UPDATE) As of April 28, 54 people have been released from prison to emergency medical-home confinement, which represents less than 3% of the people considered eligible for release under that order.
• New Mexico: On April 6, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an executive order directing the Corrections Department to compile a list of incarcerated individuals who meet certain criteria, who will receive a commutation of their prison sentence. Individuals must be within 30 days of release with an established parole plan. People serving sentences for convictions of sex offenses, felony DWI, domestic abuse, assault of a peace officer, or firearms enhancements are not eligible for commutation under this order.
• North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Public Safety announced it is considering early release for up to 500 incarcerated people who fall in one of several vulnerable categories, including pregnant women, people over age 65 who are scheduled for release in 2020 or who have underlying health conditions, and those already on home leave or work release with a release date in 2020. Separately, DPS has expanded the use of earned time credits, resulting in the March release of over 300 people originally scheduled for release in later months. Additionally, the NC Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission is also reviewing people under its authority for possible release. (UPDATE) As of May 7, nearly 200 incarcerated individuals have been released through a sentence modification initiative. Those individuals are now permitted to serve the remainder of their sentences in the community. An additional 485 people have been released by increasing the use of discretionary sentence credits to those reaching their minimum sentence release date between April and July. Some incarcerated individuals are ineligible for release via discretionary credits, such as those convicted of sex offenses or charged with assaulting prison staff.
• North Dakota: The state Parole Board held a special meeting on March 20 to help manage the incarcerated population in response to coronavirus concerns. Sixty people appeared seeking early release, and 56 of those requests were granted; people will be released throughout April. (Update) Before March 31st, 120 applicants were granted parole. In April the board heard 141 cases, and granted parole for an additional 120 people.
• Ohio: On April 15, Governor Mike DeWine approved the release of 105 people convicted of nonviolent offenses, all of whom were within 90 days of their scheduled release date, bringing the total number of early releases from the Ohio state prison system to about 500. He also asked judges to release hundreds of medically fragile people.
• Oklahoma: Following recommendations from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, on April 11 Governor Stitt approved commutation for 452 people, 404 of whom were approved for time served. People receiving commutations were released on April 16. Additionally, the Executive Director of the Pardon and Parole Board indicated that the Board will try to get the turnaround time for commutation applications down to 30 days, while prioritizing people scheduled for release in the next 12 to 18 months. (UPDATE) The Governor’s office indicated that only about 100 people would be released on April 16, and that the suggestion that 400 people receiving commutations would be released was a communication error. (UPDATE) The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted to recommend special medical parole for 12 incarcerated persons who were determined to be a higher health risk of the coronavirus pandemic. The twelve individuals were drawn from a list of 14 people recommended by Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Scott Crow, and that list was itself a subset of at least 126 incarcerated people who the DOC had identified as having “medical issues (that) would put them particularly at risk from the pandemic.” The move from 126 to 14 was a result of removing people “serving time for violent crimes, sex crimes, and other categories.”
• Oregon: Following a report in which the state Department of Corrections indicated 5,400 people would need to be released in order to maintain social distancing within facilities, Governor Kate Brown requested a list of people who fall into one of seven categories. The subsequent list includes 3,244 incarcerated people, who the governor will now consider for release. (UPDATE) The Oregon Parole Board announced on May 1 that it will review seven incarcerated people for early release due to their severe medical conditions. They have also asked corrections staff to evaluate an additional 60 individuals for possible release.
• Pennsylvania: The Department of Corrections recommended nearly 100 people for expedited parole hearings, and is identifying individuals who have been granted parole but must complete certain programs prior to release, allowing some of those individuals to complete programming on the outside. Combined, efforts resulted in the release of an additional 574 people in March. (UPDATE) On April 10, Governor Tom Wolf issued an executive order to temporarily release up to 1,800 people from Pennsylvania state prisons who fit the criteria of: “non-violent and who otherwise would be eligible for release within the next 9 months or who are considered at high risk for complications of coronavirus and are within 12 months of their release.” As of May 8th, 139 people had been released under the executive order.
• South Carolina: Between April 1 and April 23, the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPS) has released 202 people from state prisons into different supervision programs. 60 of those incarcerated persons were released to parole supervision. The board also agreed to modify parole conditions for 30 additional incarcerated people who were originally ordered to attend the Addictions Treatment Unit, but will now complete Substance Abuse Counseling upon release. (UPDATE) The SC Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services will resume hearings virtually on June 2 after initially cancelling hearings for two months. About 175 hearings which were originally scheduled for four different dates were pushed back. Incarcerated persons will participate in the video conference from inside prisons, and attorneys will have the option to participate inside the prisons or call in. Victims and supporters of victims will be able to participate by calling into the hearings, submitting written statements, or submitting a DVD recording of themselves.
• Tennessee: Following initial barriers to release for people who had been granted parole, “the parole board agreed to revisit cases of prison inmates who were granted parole but never released because of additional requirements for classes and treatment that aren't always available.”
• Utah: The Utah Department of Corrections is currently making referrals to the Board of Parole and Pardons to release incarcerated individuals who have an approved address and are within 90 days of their scheduled release. So far, 80 referrals have been made with a release date of April 2, 2020.
• Vermont: The Vermont Department of Corrections released more than 200 people between late February and the end of March, including people released to furlough and to probation supervision.
• Virginia: On April 22, the Virginia General Assembly approved a proposed budget amendment from Governor Ralph Northam which grants the Department of Corrections (DOC) authority to release incarcerated individuals with less than one year remaining on their sentence. DOC reported that factors determining eligibility will include: offense type and history, medical conditions, a documented and approved home plan, good time earning level, and recidivism risk. (UPDATE) As of May 18, 2020, 195 people have been released from VADOC custody through Governor’s Northam’s executive amendments to HB 29 and 30. The COVID-19 Inmate Early Release Plan states that all incarcerated persons held in a local correctional facility must have a viable home plan and a risk of recidivism that is medium or low. All people being released from VADOC facilities as they finish their sentences are now screened for COVID-19 on the day of their release.
• Washington State: Following an order from the state’s Supreme Court to take “all necessary steps,” Governor Jay Inslee issued an emergency commutation to allow for the release of more than 1,100 incarcerated individuals. The commutation specifically applies to individuals with non-violent offenses (including supervision violations) or drug or alcohol offenses who have a projected release date on or before June 29, 2020. Other individuals will be released under the Rapid Reentry Program which allows them to serve the remainder of their sentence on home confinement with electronic monitoring, for up to 6 months. Following an order from the WA Supreme Court on April 10, Governor Jay Inslee announced that the state will consider release via commutation for people convicted of nonviolent offenses who have expected release dates before the end of June. Additionally, people who meet the Centers for Disease Control guidelines of those at higher risk for health complications related to COVID-19 are eligible for release through a Rapid Reentry program, as well as emergency furloughs for those incarcerated in work release settings. (UPDATE) On April 17, The Washington Department of Corrections published the names of 1,167 people to be released early from state prisons. As of April 23, 293 people had received commutations, and 41 people had received work release furloughs.
• Wisconsin: On April 2, Wisconsin Department of Corrections announced several measures in response to the coronavirus, including releasing persons in custody who qualified for Certain Earned Release who were convicted of non-violent charges and had less than one year to serve in prison. Once released, these individuals will be on community supervision.

Other Responses ↓

• Alabama: Following a proclamation by Governor Kay Ivey on April 13, 2020, the AL Board of Pardon and Parole will resume parole hearings after initially suspending them. The governor’s order lifts requirements for in-person appearances; people wishing to submit their views to the Board can do so via email, mailed written statements, or phone.
• California, San Diego: San Diego probation is testing the temperature of anyone, staff included, who enters their detention facilities, and increasing washing hands for all and sanitizing facilities.
• California, San Francisco: On May 7, 2020, Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco Adult Probation Department (SFAPD) announced the launch of an emergency housing and release program. SFAPD partnered with Recovery Survival Network and the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project to lease 51 rooms in a hotel setting to provide intensive support for justice-involved individuals who were experiencing homelessness. The individuals will be referred by the Superior Court of San Francisco to the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion program.
• California, Santa Barbara County: On May 12-13, 2020, the Santa Barbara County Probation Department delivered community care packages containing fresh fruits, vegetables, canned food, and essential personal items. Items were donated by Harvest Community Center, Santa Barbara Farms, Family Services Agency, and Santa Maria Boys & Girls Club.
• California, Solano County: The Solano County Probation Department has engaged a number of strategies, including partnering with the Police Activities League to pick up and deliver food to clients, hand-delivering treatment and skill development workbooks to clients, holding virtual meetings and group classes, and sending supportive messages via their SMS application.
• Connecticut: CT has closed its parole offices, but is continuing parole release hearings through video conferencing until further notice.
• Idaho: Due to the suspension of 125 administrative rules, probation and parole officers can now remotely complete the LSI-R, an evaluation designed to determine whether a person will commit another crime. Officers have also begun to use GPS monitoring and remote breathalyzer systems more frequently.
• Indiana, DeKalb County: The DeKalb County Community Corrections work release center has frozen intakes to their physical location, out of coronavirus concerns. However, they are “accepting home detention placements, and will continue to provide services to existing and potential participants via telephone and by email. Face-to-face contacts will be limited whenever possible [...] Regular sanitation practices have been increased. Residents and staff are regularly screened for symptoms via a questionnaire and temperature reading upon return to the facility.”
• Indiana, Miami County: Provided free of charge through the state of Indiana, the Miami County Probation Department has started to conduct criminal court hearings by using Zoom. The remote hearings include capability for attorneys and their clients to use breakout rooms for private conversations about their cases. Probation officers have been able to join the hearings from remote working locations.
• Indiana, Monroe County: Monroe Circuit Court Probation office Juvenile Division used a portion of funds from a grant to send out care packages to maintain connections with the youth and families they serve. The care packages included snacks, candy, playing cards, and brainteasers.
• Montana: As issued by Governor Steve Bullock on April 1, 2020, statutory restrictions on rental vouchers funds are suspended to allow additional discretion for the funds to be utilized for any housing-related expense in order to insure adequate re-entry housing for individuals re-entering communities. Separately, Montana also placed a moratorium on all transports between detention centers, secure care, pre-release, and treatment centers during the stay at home order issued by the Governor.
• Minnesota, Hennepin County: Opened drop-off locations for community members to donate unopened personal protective equipment, for use by first responders, public health workers, clinics, and hospitals. One of the drop-off locations is the Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation.
• Nebraska: NE State Probation is using drug testing patches and alcohol monitors, and is using video conferencing with treatment providers to continue programming.
• New Jersey: Men on probation under the Judiciary’s Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) have continued their community service voluntarily by helping to make face masks for individuals on the front lines of the pandemic.
• New York, New York City: Citing the negative impact of the coronavirus on individuals on probation, NYC Department of Probation is offering additional food programs and support with employment and video conferencing services. The NYC Department of Probation Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeONs) existing partnership with the Food Bank of NYC and the NYC Young Men’s Initiative expanded hours and added an additional location where people on probation and other New Yorkers can receive one week of pre-packaged groceries.
• North Carolina: The NC Department of Public Safety announced it will offer free COVID-19 testing to employees in all its Divisions of Adults and Juvenile Justice (ACJJ), including community supervision staff.
• Oklahoma: On March 18, the governor signed SB661 which revised the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act to expand wider use of meeting capabilities. The revision, effective immediately, enables OK Pardon and Parole Board meetings to occur via either video conference or teleconference throughout the coronavirus crisis.
• Virginia: The Virginia Department of Corrections manufactured sneeze/cough guard masks to be used by staff and incarcerated persons. The guard masks, although not medical grade masks, were distributed to aid in reducing the spread of the coronavirus. (Update) Individuals released from DOC custody now go home with a three-months supply of medication instead of the usual one-month supply. The aim of extra medication is to allow released people more time to adequately establish care in the community and comply with social distancing requirements.