Up to 8,000 inmates in California prisons may be eligible for early release by the end of August due to concerns over COVID-19 and its outbreaks within the prison system. Almost 6,000 cases were recorded within the California Department of Corrections as of July 10th. According to department Secretary Ralph Diaz, the early releases are intended to “provide for the health and safety of the incarcerated population and staff. We aim to implement these decompression measures in a way that aligns both public health and public safety.” While 8,000 inmates may be eligible for release, anyone convicted for crimes such as violent crimes, domestic violence and sexual offences is ineligible.

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