SJC holds hearing on potential release of prisoners

The SJC is considering a move that would release thousands of prisoners.

THE STATE’S HIGHEST COURTHOLDING A HEARING TODAY OVER THEPOSSIBILITY OF RELEASINGPRISONERS BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS.SERA: BECAUSE MOST COURTS ARECLOSED CASH A RECORDING TO MADEAVAILABLE TO THE PUBLICAFTERWARDS.THIS DEBATE IS ABOUT PUBLICHEALTH VERSUS PUBLIC SAFETY.A BATTLE OVER RELEASING INMATESDURING THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK,IS NOW BEFORE THE STATE’SHIGHEST COURT.DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AND OTHERADVOCATES ARE ASKING THE SJC TORELEASE CERTAIN PRISONERS IN ANEFFORT TO LIMIT THEIR RISK OFEXPOSURE.IN A STATEMENT, A PUBLICDEFENDERS GROUP SAYSTHERE ARE HUNDREDS OF VULNERABLEPEOPLE BEHIND BARS WHO ARE NODANGER TO SOCIETY.EVERY DAY THEY REMAIN LOCKED UPIS ANOTHER DAY THEY ARE SERVINGA SENTENCE THEY WERE NOT GIVEN-APUNISHMENT THAT FORCES THEM TOPOTENTIALLY LIVE IN CLOSEQUARTERS WITH A DEADLY, HIGHCONTAGIOUS VIRUS.